Worknow_Aotearoa_NZ

There’s an old school mantra that advises “do not underestimate the competition” because knowing your competition is necessary in order to build strategic advantage. Yet from a Gen Y perspective, many of those same competitors are potential collaborators.

If we were to offer a mantra of advice in regards to competition it would be to “seek opportunity to collaborate rather than compete” which makes it ever more frustrating that the older generation, people we would also like to collaborate with, continue to deny the talents and capabilities of my generation.

Even an over educated, under experienced MBA student knows that success comes from being able to climb the greasy management pole. You don’t do that by trumpeting that you know it all or that Facebook is the interface proxy for enterprise applications.

Try that in this economy and you’ll be at the head of the queue when the next round of pink slips are distributed (sic). You can only know that from having worked in enterprises, experienced the nuances of management practice and negotiated the politics of power. Source

This comment completely fails to recognise that management hierarchy’s are not the future. While they might have worked for the industrial revolution, entrepreneurship, collaborative, mobile, networked teams are the future of our knowledge economy.

Political Hierarchies vs Collaborative Teams

Sorry, old guard but we don’t actually need to climb your “greasy management pole” because with today’s technology we can connect and circumvent your traditional hierarchy’s to collaborate and build businesses of our own.

Rather than politics, power and vainglorious titles we aspire to work together as co-founders in recognition of our interdependent need for each others talents, skills and trust.

Our entrepreneurial spirit makes us increasingly willing and able to take risks, our education has armed us with knowledge and insight and today’s technology allows us to connect, share and collaborate in new, more effective ways.

Dismissing the fact that we are tech natives, and assuming that we need to be “employees” fails to recognise that we are creators of our own future.

Love us or hate us 10 years from now we will represent almost 40% of the New Zealand workforce. Perhaps it’s time to accept that aspects of our work ethic, like our collaborative spirit, may be the best form of work organisation for a knowledge based economy.

I am a fan of the solution orientation of think small as a way to address national issues and this morning, reviewing the ever popular issue of  “The Recession” I came across the following solution which necessitated a supportive yet alternative response, except I ran out of room there to comment so decided to share my thoughts here…

The Solution

Students fresh from tertiary study addressing “The Recession”

Some graduates may have found lately that in their respective field they cannot get a job. As the economy is as it is, companies are more reluctant to hire even experienced staff as they do not feel they can afford it, which unfortunately means it’s very difficult for an inexperienced university graduate to get a job. To this end, it may be wise if you are in this situation to consider going back to university and doing a post graduate degree, not only will it give you something to do to fill your time, but it will also give you that advantage over other candidates when the economy settles down and companies are looking to hire again.

My Comment

“We are already the most highly educated generation in the workforce (+) yet the study work transition dilemma still exists. Further education doesn’t solve the problem for graduates it merely postpones it. Wait to be hired!? Guys, we need to think Entrepreneur vs. Employee. Why wait in line to be employees when we can determine our own future?

While education is undeniably an advantage the issue which compelled me to comment is simply that the problem as stated “it’s very difficult for an inexperienced university graduate to get a job” is not solved by telling them to continue on the same path, further education.

We need education applied in combination with our natural strengths our entrepreneurial spirit and tech know how.

As a combination we then have:

1. With education – the knowledge to create and transform ideas;
2. With entrepreneurship – the ability to risk and achieve and;
3. With technology – the tools to find connect and work together in new collaborative ways

Why be dependent on traditional “employment” when we can determine our own future in the workforce by becoming the next generation of talented entrepreneurs vs. employees? With the right team and a good idea building a company need not be as risky as it has been made to look. Begin by finding and connecting with talented others, somewhere like a talent community

A Generations Project Orientation

10 years from now we will represent almost 40% of the workforce and slowly but surely people are beginning to accept that aspects of our Gen Y work ethic, our project orientation for instance, are more suited to work in a knowledge economy.

AUSTRALIA’S pre-eminent demographer, Bernard Salt, has stepped into the debate on whether Gen Y is work shy by declaring they’re not lazy but they have to adapt in the downturn.

“In fact they’re incredibly hard-working within the areas they are interested in. In fact they work quite assiduously when they are engaged by a particular project,” he said.

While always nice to see people portraying “Gen Y” (Gen We as I like to call us) in a rare but positive light it remains evident that Mr Salt still expects us to conform to the norms that he works by. Norms that perpetuate the myth that happy and worker are divergent states of being.

“With the global financial crisis the wheel is turning and it’s time for Gen Y to adapt,” he said.

“It’s important for Gen Y to realise that work is not a form of entertainment. You should not be jumping out of your skin for eight hours of work.” Source

Fair call, it’s not a party but what Mr Salt’s discussion fails to recognise is that there exists other options to remaining an unhappy, under challenged, albeit adaptable employee.

Gen We Entrepreneurs

Research indicates we have an entrepreneurial spirit that makes us increasingly willing and able to take risks. As the most highly educated generation we are armed with knowledge and insight and chomping at the bit to apply it to work life.

Those that expect us to be so desperate for employment, during this recession, that we will just adapt to be more like the old guard was at work, may be disappointed to find we are indeed well equipped to adapt but simply not as dependent on traditional “employment” as previous generations have been.

Today we recognise that we always have the option of working for ourselves. With the right team, building a company need not be as risky as it has been made to look. With today’s networking tools is it’s becoming second nature for us to find, connect and work with each other

Worknow, like Trademe, for services on a networking platform.

Six months ago I did not know either of my two co-founders. I met Jamie by applying for a house on Trademe. Josh and I connected through shared networking circles – Intersect Facebook and Twitter.

Today we are evidence of the collaborative teams and new ventures being established using networking technology to connect talented, passionate people.

We encourage and support a more entrepreneurial work ethic by providing tools to help other people connect with each other to create solutions, new knowledge and work opportunities.

The concept of Time Trade is a social change movement active in 22 countries and across six continents.

It began in the 1980’s ,invented by Edgar Cahn, a former legal advisor to Robert Kennedy, as a way to make up for the cutback of social services. While each time bank may state a different focus the system of trade is facilitated in order to help communities meet unmet needs with untapped resources.

“…To develop a sustainable community centered and supported network that will utilise available and untapped assets through a complimentary economy. Our ultimate goal is to help to bring about meaningful social change for the betterment of humanity…”

The following examples are the mission statements of various time banks as listed in the international Time Bank Community Directory

Time Trade is about Helping Others

• Bringing People Together to Help Each Other
• To provide access to services and high quality volunteer opportunities by serving our community with passion and commitment.
• To support and expand our volunteer programs

Time Trade is about strengthening communities

• To build a stronger, more unified community which supports, includes and honors persons of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Building a stronger community one hour at a time.
• To strengthen friendships, families, neighborhoods and communities.

Time Trade is about connecting communities

• Working together as a sustainable community of families to nurture quality time, talent and fun
• To nurture, inspire, and motivate the building of a network of neighbors to come together to create a sharing and caring community.
• To connect diverse neighborhoods, service organizations, food producers, businesses, and individuals in ways that promote resource exchange, cooperation, and community-building while increasing access to local services and goods.

Time Trade encompasses both broad and specific goals

• To help mobilize social capital to fight poverty and build community in Lewis County.
• To meet unmet needs of home schoolers with untapped resources.
• To assist the senior and youth population in relationship building and tapping into valuable resources

Time Trade is about Respect Recognition and Empowering People

• To invite all people in the community to join in a supportive, reciprocal network where all members are respected and valued for their time and talents, through the sharing of our needs and gifts.
• To Empower the Disenfranchised and to do this with Compassion!

Time Trade is about awareness of alternatives

• To experiment with innovative approaches to social welfare
• By facilitating the exchange of services we redefine how people interact with each other
• A network of members sharing their time and skills without the need for money.

Time Trade is about resilience

• Helping our beautiful small community become closer and more self reliant.
• Strengthening local economy in this time of hardship.
• Inform the community of resources that will enable the community to become more knowledgeable through the circle of life, resulting in people always needing people.

We facilitate Time Trade as a means of recognition for the work contributed by volunteers in our community.

We hope to encourage more young people to volunteer because we believe volunteer work develops a service orientated work ethic and skills that assist the study to work transition. Some of the skills volunteers can develop include:-

• Leadership & team building skills
• Relationship building skills
• Communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Creative thinking skills
• Organisation & time management skills

If you know a cause that could benefit from additional volunteer support or wish to volunteer your time and talent please contact us

Contract Work New Zealand

New Zealand’s workforce is showing our ability to adapt and do things differently by considering contract work in favour of taking on the lower paid, less fulfilling full-time roles on offer. According to the online survey conducted internationally by recruitment firm Robert Walters:-

White-collar New Zealander’s are preparing to sacrifice the security of nine-to-five salaries to head out on their own as private contractors – in unprecedented numbers.

Nearly two out of three professionals (63 per cent) say they would be happy to take on a contract role, a new survey shows. That is higher than anywhere in the world except in Britain. Read Article NZ Hearld

As companies continue to let staff go and struggle to contain costs in the face of falling profitability both workers and employers are beginning to recognise that full-time permanent employment is not the most effective or efficient way to get work done.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Projects & Contract Work

By outsourcing work to private contractors businesses can get work done and maintain productivity while minimising payroll expense. While employment may offer security of income and contract work is comparatively higher risk, working as a private contractor also promises better pay and the flexibility to live a more balanced, family orientated lifestyle.

Future Models of Flexible Work

At Worknow we support a more entrepreneurial work ethic and are developing ways to help people find and connect with project contract work opportunities.

Part-time, job share and flexible work options offer a solution to increasing our levels of work productivity.

“…In 2006 New Zealand’s level of labour productivity ranked 22nd out of 30 in the OECD – which means that an hour of work generates 30% less income in New Zealand than it does in Australia. It’s no surprise then that the average wage in Australia is about a third higher. If we want good jobs and higher incomes we have to keep a focus on productivity.”John Whitehead, Secretary to the Treasury -  2009 Job Summit

Increasing work productivity

So what do we need to do now to increase productivity and create quality jobs? We need to accept that it it is time to change the way that work is organised. It is time to develop a new perspective on what quality work means and how it is accomplished. To build on our strengths, we need to foster and support a more entrepreneurial approach to creating and finding work.

Changing the Status Quo on Full Time Permanent Jobs with outsourcing and flexible work organisation

Our productivity has fallen because the full-time permanent orientation to work, which we accept as the status quo, hinders our ability to maximise existing skill and talent.

If you know of anyone that has spent time “looking busy” as opposed to actually being busy then you can see that there is scope for increasing our productivity simply by changing the way people work.

Consider outsourcing work. When people are hired to work rather than fill a 40hour per week job role then work productivity increases in direct proportion to the hours spent “working” to earn a living versus “keeping busy” to justify our wage or salary.

Towards a more entrepreneurial work ethic

This type of suggested change has been a long time coming as shown by this statement which was written at the end of  another recession about 15 years ago;-

“…THE END OF THE JOB As a way of organizing work, it is a social artifact that has outlived its usefulness. Its demise confronts everyone with unfamiliar risks — and rich opportunities… The modern world is on the verge of another huge leap in creativity and productivity, but the job is not going to be part of tomorrow’s economic reality.

There still is and will always be enormous amounts of work to do, but it is not going to be contained in the familiar envelopes we call jobs. The conditions that created jobs 200 years ago — mass production and the large organization — are disappearing.

TO AN EXTENT that few people have recognized, our organizational world is no longer a pattern of jobs…In place of jobs, there are part-time and temporary work situations. That change is symptomatic of a deeper change that is subtler but more profound. The deeper change is this:

Today’s organization is rapidly being transformed from a structure built out of jobs into a field of work needing to be done

FORTUNE MAGAZINE September 19, 1994 http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1994/09/19/79751/index.htm

What William Bridges noted at the end of the last US recession is even more true today. The full-time permanent employment role in today’s work society is not the most effective of efficient way to get work done.

Yet the acceptance of outsourced, freelance, part-time, job share and flexible work requires a change in culture and mind. Sure you can look to create job share opportunities but if you set them up under the standards of the current regime then they’re destined to achieve mediocre results, at best.

For example, I saw a part-time job advertised on seek recently for a company that I am familiar with. It was actually a job-share role and when I asked my friend, who was to begin sharing her role “how’s the search going for the new admin?” I was not surprised to find that there had been only one? or was that none, no applications for the position. And we both knew why.

The part-time role was advertised with a job description outlining required competencies, responsibilities tasks and “duties as required” in the familiar package of a job description.

Clearly the author had failed to recgnise, as we both did, that no one would want to take on a part-time role that came with full-time job responsibilities and expectations. It is simply assumed, considering the lower financial benefits of part-time work, that these roles will be more flexible, more of a mutually beneficial “agreement to work together” than in the nature of a contractually obligated employee.

The old guard had simply failed to tailor the advertisement to their market and in doing so wasted money, time and perhaps more damagingly indicated that the company was founded on a culture that still adhered to the 80’s organisational work hierarchy, despite effort to appear flexible.

Worknow is designed to promote and connect people with work rather than jobs.

We support a more entrepreneurial mindset and want to encourage people to connect with work in more flexible, effective and affordable ways.

Outsourcing work is a great way to get work done without putting people on your payroll.

The specialist expertise held within the web development industry is a good example of when it is more cost effective to outsource solutions.

In fact finding the right person for the job, outside of your company, will most likely save you time and money but how exactly do you find them?

Finding the right people for the job, the hard way.

The last time I needed web developers I had to

1. Find web developers online, easy.
2. Compare existing portfolios to narrow my search.
3. Send out multiple identical requests for quote.
4. Communicate and deal repeatedly with similar questions to;
5. Enable a closer comparison of skill, experience and values to;
6. Decide who we would work with or at least further discuss our online development needs.

The process took 10+ hours of time over about 10 working days and provides a common example of how to waste time and money in your business. But there is another option for outsourcing which makes it more time and cost effective to connect with the right people.

Connecting People & Projects

In the USA sites like www.elance.com already  exist to promote and link people and work although in this case we mean work, as in tasks, one off jobs and finite projects rather than careers jobs.

For the freelance contractors that make a living by catering remotely to the business needs of others it is a very cost effective way to find work and earn a living.  In a few simple steps they can showcase their talent and skill, find work, gain experience and get paid for doing what they do best.

And for people in need of say web developers it is a guaranteed way to save time, providing an environment in which to connect, communicate, select and award work to the best person for the job.

Get a head start on your competition and join the Worknow community to post and find work for free when our online work-bid system arrives Winter09.