As we are stepping into the post-Covid-19 era, we are witnessing a significant change in how companies do what they do. However, remote working and hybrid models are not all there is to it. Companies should also consider the benefits of the flexible aka the open talent model.
Basically, open talent models allow companies to hire workers outside of their environment for a limited amount of time to work on a certain project.
In this article, we are going to talk about the benefits of adopting the open talent model.
The purpose of an open talent model
- With flexible/open talent models, companies have the chance to even out the workload with the appropriate amount of labor.
- Sometimes, full-time hiring processes are long and expensive, and outsourcing for a certain project can spare you the troubles. Not all work, requires full-time job openings.
- Open talent models also bring diversity and innovation to the table.
To which jobs does the open talent model apply?
This model has provided a variety of jobs and tasks. Among the hottest skills in demand, based on data from Upwork (the leading platform for freelancers) are data entry specialists and software developers. Through Upwork, you can find an abundance of freelancers offering from easy-to-find to the rarest specialties on the labor market.
Basically, every job that requires a laptop and a solid internet connection can be outsourced through these open talent platforms. In most cases, hiring a freelancer is less expensive compared to traditional hiring.
How should companies decide if the open talent models are appropriate for them?
- First, companies should evaluate if the open talent model is needed for a one-off project or for a long-term collaboration.
- Second, companies should estimate the costs for hiring open talent for a certain project versus hiring traditional workers.
- Third, companies should evaluate how much company-specific knowledge is required for performing the tasks. Where large company-specific knowledge is required, hiring traditional workers may be the better option, unless tasks can be fragmented into smaller pieces which will reduce the necessity for company-specific context.
Having this in mind, freelance working models are speeding up the shift into avoiding costly and time-consuming processes for hiring and screening potential candidates and this decreases the necessity for employees to have to learn company-specific context.
What measures should be taken by managers?
If HR managers choose to use open model platforms, they should have a few key things in mind.
Open model platforms can help HR managers detect the more experienced freelancers out there. The feedback sections on these platforms are always a useful tool for such purposes. This is one of the advantages that open platform models provide compared to traditional hiring. Most of the previous clients are bound to leave a comment or rate the satisfaction level of provided services in the feedback and comments section.
Due to the low upfront fees, platforms make most of their revenue from successful matches. In this way, clients can hire a freelancer for a short-term project before deciding if they want to hire them on a permanent basis. With a growing pool of remote workers and employers, it becomes more feasible to find a better match, which makes “try before you buy” with flexible talent even more valuable.
A lot of companies are concerned about information leakage, especially when it comes to trade secrets or intellectual property. The truth is that freelancing and contest platforms addressed many of these problems even before the pandemic. Their lessons can be useful for managers when considering hiring any remote worker, not just a freelancer. There are various platforms that offer support for non-disclosure agreements and other legal agreements.
As open talent usage increases, HR managers should realize that they will be competing with the best firms for the best talent. The internet has created a global economy where western companies will have to compete with anyone willing to pay for online work.
If done right, open platform models can bring exceptional benefits, but careful and committed management will be necessary.
