As business operations change, executives and entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to an on-demand workforce that is both empowered by technology and drawn to purpose-driven projects.

Consider Upwork, whose 2020 Pulse Report on the Future of the Workforce found that nearly 80% of hiring managers who hire freelancers feel confident doing so. These hires provide the coveted expertise—on a project-by-project basis—that entrepreneurs need to scale their operations without incurring long-term costs.

This new market paradigm also promotes dynamism, with 79% of businesses agreeing that independent talent enables greater innovation. Perhaps most importantly, 84% of hiring managers who use it feel more confident adapting to future disruptions, compared to just 69% of those who rely only on full-time staff.

By taking advantage of independent markets, entrepreneurs can reinforce employer branding, enhance skills and future-proof organizations, even in the midst of turbulence. How much approx 60% of hiring managers Plan to increase engagement with freelancers over the next two years, now is the time for leaders to realize their inherent potential.

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The job market continues to change

After a massive season hiring, we're back to seeing layoffs and downsizing. Companies are feeling the pinch Unused office premises for rent on the rise in redundant employee structures – and are shifting the focus to hiring only the most essential positions. This leaves one criticism talent gap needed for complex projects and specialized tasks. Highly skilled and specialized freelancers can fill this void.

Some key benefits for engaging them:

• Access to special experts: Platforms like Toptal and Guru provide access to elite professionals from leading Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups. Whether the need is for a machine learning specialist, growth strategist, or financial modeler, entrepreneurs can now curate on-demand teams boasting specialized skills, enabling them to focus investment on projects of the highest strategic value.

• Improved skill: Leading corporations increasingly “rent” skills using independent experts for initiatives involving new technologies or when entering unfamiliar markets. With dedicated contributors available to fill knowledge gaps, owners can explore ideas that once seemed unrealistic due to internal limitations—unlocking invention and first-mover advantage.

• Strongest Employment Brand: The mix of full-time employees with project-based freelancers signals a commitment to modernization and work-life balance. Offering engaging work and flexibility will help attract exceptional candidates and help you compete with corporate giants for top talent.

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Tips for taking advantage of talent gigs

After exploring the forces reshaping work, leaders may wonder how to effectively leverage independent platforms. After all, how can you know you're getting your money's worth if an employee isn't physically present full-time?

• Clearly define projects: Contract hires thrive when expectations and deadlines are set in advance. So, clearly, the need for details about outcomes, measures of success, skills required and anticipated time investment. Being up front when it comes to communication and expectations will help avoid headaches, including delays.

• Build loyalty with talent: The best freelancers have options regarding the projects they accept. Study their profiles to discern their passions and motivations. Offer interesting work, flexibility and strong communication to motivate interest and improve results.

• Manage collaboration: Provide consistent context, feedback, and guidance at every stage of the project, but also foster autonomy, even as you direct efforts toward strategic goals. A dynamic balance of these qualities brings optimal results.

• Continue to expand your talent pool: Add proven freelancers to an internal database for recurring engagements and alert talent to new initiatives for which their expertise would provide an advantage. By discovering additional ways, freelancers can improve the business and deepen the relationship.

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The best platforms to connect with talent

Now comes the hard part: finding contractors who bring partial sets of expertise. There are a growing number of platforms, of course, but I've found these stand out as leaders:

Fiverr: Ideal for executives looking for design, digital marketing, writing, video and admin support. Known for affordability and ease of job posting. It also taps into a global talent pool.

Upwork: A flexible platform that includes more than 150 skills. It is used by everyone from small businesses to global enterprises. Strong in IT, development, design, finance and consulting.

Total: Focuses exclusively on 3% of talent. Best for expert software developers, designers, project managers and finance experts. All contributors are extensively vetted.

ANTI: A growing independent platform that verifies and connects both job candidates and hiring companies. Best of all, it takes no commission from projects.

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The numbers speak for themselves: businesses that engage freelancers report greater confidence and competitiveness, as well as the ability to weather turbulence, yet legacy beliefs can still cause hesitation among those looking to hire. Supported by such specialized collaborators, companies can explore new horizons unencumbered by a once narrow view of staffing models.