As the gig economy continues to grow, businesses are leveraging technology to maximize the benefits of their contingent workforces. We’ve gathered insights from industry leaders who share their top strategies for using technology to support and enhance the experience of contingent workers, from smart scheduling to seamless integration through digital platforms.
Smart Scheduling Technology
Smart scheduling technology allows contingent workers to easily access and manage their schedules while enabling employers to efficiently track and manage their contingent workforce.
This tech solution reduces scheduling errors or miscommunications, leading to higher job satisfaction for workers and increased efficiency for employers. Additionally, incorporating data analytics can help predict worker demand and optimize scheduling, ensuring that employers can efficiently and effectively manage their contingent workforce.
Jefferson McCall
Co-Founder and HR Head, TechBullish
Automated Payment and Invoicing
Payment and invoicing take up significant time for contingent workforces and their employers. Adopting technology in this work setup can automate payment and invoicing, reducing the time spent on these tasks by both parties. Automation also facilitates more efficient task tracking for fair and accurate remuneration.
Liam Liu
Co-Founder and CMO, ParcelPanel
Remote Work Equipment Stipends
Contingent workforces often work from home or remote locations, presenting challenges in accessing necessary equipment and technology. To address this issue, companies increasingly offer remote work equipment stipends to contingent workers.
These stipends cover the cost of laptops, monitors, keyboards, headsets, and other necessary equipment for remote work. This benefits the contingent workforce by ensuring they have the tools needed for productivity and companies by increasing worker satisfaction, reducing turnover, and ensuring workers use properly configured and secure equipment, mitigating security risks.
Overall, remote work equipment stipends are a win-win solution for both contingent workers and the companies that employ them.
Tarun Saha
Co-Founder and CEO, StallionZo
Attract Contingent Workers with Integrated HR Systems
The growing contingent workforce results from an increased need for better work-life balance. When using technology for the contingent workforce, it’s essential to choose one that benefits hiring contingent workers.
The technology used to organize the contingent workforce should interface with an automatic HR system. Companies need to engage and attract workers by including project details and incentives in the system. By utilizing technology, a company can obtain high-quality contingent workers and create a positive, consistent experience for them.
Andre Oentoro
Founder and CEO, Breadnbeyond
Gamified Training Programs
One way technology benefits contingent workforces is through the gamification of training programs. Incorporating elements of game design, such as point systems and rewards, into learning modules increases engagement and retention of information.
By making training fun and interactive, workers are more likely to actively participate and learn the necessary skills to succeed in their roles. Furthermore, gamification allows for real-time feedback and progress tracking, enabling employers to identify areas for improvement and tailor their training programs accordingly.
Overall, the use of gamification in training promotes a more effective and efficient learning experience for contingent workers.
Basana Saha
Founder, KidsCareIdeas
Digital Platforms for Freelancers
Technology greatly assists through digital platforms that connect freelancers and gig workers with potential clients. These platforms simplify the job search process, streamline communication and collaboration, and allow freelancers to focus on delivering top-notch work. Technology serves as the ultimate wingman in this ever-evolving gig economy.
Ray Schultz
VP of Marketing, Liquid Rubber
Cloud-Based Talent Management
One way technology benefits contingent workforces is by implementing a cloud-based talent management system. This system provides automation and self-service functionalities, allowing contingent workers to easily update their profiles, submit time and expenses, and receive seamless communication from employers.
With real-time data access, employers can make faster and more accurate decisions, improving workforce planning, talent allocation, and retention. This technology also ensures compliance with HR regulations and helps mitigate risks associated with contingent workforce management.
Overall, the use of a cloud-based talent management system increases productivity, reduces administrative costs, and enhances the overall quality of life for contingent workers.
Adalyn McCall
Co-Founder and HR Head, MrPlanter
Collaboration Tools for Remote Teams
Technology benefits contingent workforces by connecting remote teams and providing access to collaboration tools. For example, cloud-based software, like videoconferencing, allows workers in different geographical locations to share screens, discuss ideas, and efficiently conduct virtual meetings.
Additionally, chat systems enable real-time communication between team members, allowing tasks to be completed faster. Other digital solutions include tracking software that allows managers to accurately monitor the progress of staff working remotely or on short-term engagements. This information makes it easier for companies to distribute tasks more efficiently among agents while ensuring balanced workloads.
Finally, HR systems connected with an employee network simplify recruiting individuals with the right skill sets needed for each project or role, saving time and resources.
Ryan Gray
CEO, Name Hero
Online Gig Platforms Expand Job Opportunities
Flexible workforces can find more opportunities thanks to technology. Contingent workforces, including freelancers, contractors, and gig economy workers, have greatly benefited from technological advancements.
The rise of online platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr allows contingent workers to find gigs more easily than ever before, accessing a larger number of job opportunities. Additionally, these platforms can be used to create an online portfolio, giving employers an easy way to see the work of potential hires. Technology has become an invaluable tool for employers and contingent workers alike, streamlining the hiring process and tracking performance to benefit contingent workforces in various ways.
Pete Evering
Vice President of Operations, Utopia Management
Seamless Integration via Technology
Technology platforms, such as freelancer marketplaces or gig economy platforms, enable seamless integration of contingent workers into an organization’s workflow and processes.
These platforms provide a user-friendly interface for posting projects, selecting and hiring freelancers, tracking progress, and making payments. This seamless integration allows for efficient and effective management of contingent workforces, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Additionally, technology facilitates communication and collaboration among team members, regardless of their work status, improving overall productivity and organizational performance.
Ryan Flannagan
CEO and Founder, Nuanced Media
