Thriving in the Gig Economy: How to Capitalize and Compete in the New World of Work

by Marion McGovern, George Gendron (Foreword by)

Overview

In the last five years, the world of work has changed dramatically. Thanks to technology companies like Uber, TaskRabbit, and Instacart, the new "gig economy" seems to constantly be in the news. But most of the media focus is on the low end of the skill spectrum; little attention is being paid to the best-in-class professionals who have chosen an independent path. New digital talent platforms are developing at a rapid clip with a wide variety of business models, many catering to very precise, high-value skill sets.

Thriving in the Gig Economy is an actionable guidebook outlining ways to maneuver in this new world to create a path that optimizes success. You will learn:

• The differences between the gig economy and the sharing and on-demand economies.
• The best ways to work with digital talent platforms and traditional consulting intermediaries.
• Commonsense logistics around digital branding, contracts, and employment issues.

The tools and services to enhance your practice. The growth in this marketplace is exponential, and Thriving in the Gig Economy is one way for you to take advantage of all its potential.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632650955
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	07/24/2017
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Marion McGovern was the founder and CEO of M Squared Consulting, one of the first gig- economy talent intermediaries before the term was even coined. She also founded Collabrus, a company focused on independent contractor compliance. McGovern is the author of A New Brand of Expertise: How Independent Consultants, Free Agents, and Interim Managers Are Transforming the World of Work. She sits on several private company and nonprofit boards and actively mentors entrepreneurs in the human capital space.

Table of Contents

Foreword 17

Introduction 21

1 What Is the Gig Economy Anyway? 27

2 Sizing the Gig Economy: The Lay of the Land 41

3 The Demand Side of the Gig Economy 59

4 Building Your Independent Brand 73

5 The Price Is Right 97

6 Selling in the New Marketplace 105

7 The Nasty Little Employment Problem 123

8 The Employee Experience as an Independent 137

9 The Gig Economy Ecosystem 153

10 The Future of the Gig Economy, Part 1: Policy and Politics 161

11 The Future of the Gig Economy, Part 2: The Workplace and Workers 177

Appendix A Selected Intermediaries and Digital Platform Companies 191

Appendix B My Digital Platform Experience 199

Notes 201

Bibliography 211

Index 217

About the Author 221

Editorial Reviews

"Informative and easy to read, with a wealth of useful tips, great ideas and cautionary advice for anyone interested in making the jump to the gig economy. Having just recently made that decision myself I have found Marion's guidance to be timely and invaluable."

Dirk Sodestrom

"Thriving in the Gig Economy is a must read for anyone entering or re-entering the workforce in a non-traditional way. But if you are an entrepreneur thinking of starting your own company to ride this new wave or are an executive at a traditional firm, this book has valuable insights for you as well. McGovern has written a meticulously researched description of how the dynamics of the workforce of today and tomorrow have and will continue to change."

Tony Earley Jr.

"I've known Marion professionally for over 25 years and watched her gain the respect of her peers entrepreneuring and innovating in the Human Capital world through many changes in the economy from the dotcom boom to bust and back to boom. Her insights on what we are now calling the Gig Economy are invaluable whether you are in the midst of running a business, getting back in the managerial game, or just trying to keep up with all the changes happening in the employment world. Thriving in the Gig Economy will provide invaluable insights and resonate with entrepreneurs, managers and senior executives."

Karen Behnke

"This is your go-to source for a font of information about the gig economy—how to build your brand, set your price, find work that matches your skills, manage employment risks, and master the ecosystem that supports this fast-growing sector."

Wayne F. Cascio

"The new landscape of work may feel like the Wild West—so we're fortunate to have Marion McGovern as our guide. Thriving in the Gig Economy is a rich and useful handbook that addresses every aspect of the new free agent terrain."

Daniel H. Pink

"The new landscape of work may feel like the Wild West--so we're fortunate to have Marion McGovern as our guide. Thriving in the Gig Economy is a rich and useful handbook that addresses every aspect of the new free agent terrain."
--Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind

Reviews

"The new landscape of work may feel like the Wild West--so we're fortunate to have Marion McGovern as our guide. Thriving in the Gig Economy is a rich and useful handbook that addresses every aspect of the new free agent terrain."
--Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind

"Thriving in the Gig Economy is a must read for anyone entering or re-entering the workforce in a non-traditional way. But if you are an entrepreneur thinking of starting your own company to ride this new wave or are an executive at a traditional firm, this book has valuable insights for you as well. McGovern has written a meticulously researched description of how the dynamics of the workforce of today and tomorrow have and will continue to change."
--Tony Earley Jr., Chairman, PG&E

"Informative and easy to read, with a wealth of useful tips, great ideas and cautionary advice for anyone interested in making the jump to the gig economy. Having just recently made that decision myself I have found Marion's guidance to be timely and invaluable."
--Dirk Sodestrom, Former Managing Partner of M Squared Consulting

"I've known Marion professionally for over 25 years and watched her gain the respect of her peers entrepreneuring and innovating in the Human Capital world through many changes in the economy from the dotcom boom to bust and back to boom. Her insights on what we are now calling the Gig Economy are invaluable whether you are in the midst of running a business, getting back in the managerial game, or just trying to keep up with all the changes happening in the employment world. Thriving in the Gig Economy will provide invaluable insights and resonate with entrepreneurs, managers and senior executives."

--Karen Behnke, Founder, Juice Beauty

"This is your go-to source for a font of information about the gig economy--how to build your brand, set your price, find work that matches your skills, manage employment risks, and master the ecosystem that supports this fast-growing sector."
--Wayne F. Cascio, PhD, Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado, and Robert H. Reynolds Chair in Global Leadership, Editor, Journal of International Business Studies, The Business School, University of Colorado Denver

From the Publisher