Thanks for reading. Welcome to the Independent Era™ Roundup.
Each episode, we share the things you absolutely need to know about the gig economy and modern talent—from industry news and media analysis to labor trends and customer insights—you’ll learn why the gig economy is transforming work culture. You can also find (subscribe to) this feed on the Gig Wage LinkedIn page.
Let’s dig in.
(From Yardstik)
"1 in 4 Americans have been defrauded on gig platforms.”
The message is clear from Gig Wage strategic partner, Yardstik: ‘Do something about it’.
Their innovative campaign is underway, to bring awareness (and solutions) to gig economy fraud.
Here’s the facts: Companies annually lose 5% of their revenue, totaling $3.6 billion, to fraud, with successful fraud attempts rising 63% from 2021 to 2022.
Implementing robust identity verification can mitigate these fraud losses by 90%, but businesses must adapt quickly as financial losses from account takeovers and user attrition are increasing.
Full story: https://yardstik.com/fraudtober/
(From Gig Wage)
"Integrating with Yardstik is not a mere business move. It’s a statement. A pact. We are telling our clients that we don't compromise on safety, and neither should they.”
Talking of Yardstik… we’ve officially announced our strategic alliance (having been working together for a few months now, behind the scenes).
Why does this partnership matter? Why now?
Consider this: every day, countless transactions occur between consumers and gig workers. From the driver who delivers your packages to the freelance writer crafting content for businesses, or the online tutor helping students across the globe.
They're everywhere, influencing our daily lives, making our routines smoother, and fueling the gig economy. But who are they? Can we trust them?
Continue reading here: https://gigwage.com/blog/gig-wage-partners-with-yardstik
(From Liz Young for WSJ)
“More operators “are using a flexible worker, and they’re using software not unlike Uber or Lyft or Grubhub” to fill slots, said Brian Devine, chief executive of Columbus, Ohio-based warehouse staffing agency Ignite Industrial Professionals. “That’s how they’re filling many of their holiday seasonal needs.”
Warehouses are changing. They're looking to the gig economy for inspiration. Workers want flexibility. The gig model, like Uber and Instacart, shows the way. All businesses should see this as a chance to step in and advance their own gig economy strategy.
There's a market for helping these new warehouse workers with payments. Simple as that.
Gig Wage stands ready.
Full story: https://www.wsj.com/articles/warehouses-are-calling-in-the-gig-workers-1357c685
(From Phil Alampi for Ronin Gigs)
"The most striking observation was from the 'Finance Careers' group – 80% of the participants showed an inclination towards this mode of employment. It’s evident – the finance realm is leading this paradigm shift.”
We loved the insights from this study (see link below) from Phil Alampi, who surveyed various groups across LinkedIn.
In a world where work changes fast, fractional work rises. It's not about less time, but smarter executive roles. Finance pros lead the charge. Why? Flexibility, diverse experiences, efficiency, and balance. For companies, it's strategy, not compromise. Dive in or be left behind. Change is constant.
Full story: The Rise of Fractional Work: A Fresh Perspective for Modern Executives
(From Mia Sato for The Verge)
"CEO Jack Conte says it is part of the company’s effort toward giving creators the tools they need to run their business on their own terms and reach fans without a social platform’s interference.”
Patreon's rebrand and expanded feature set signals a major shift in the gig and creator economies. As the platform evolves from a mere paywall to a comprehensive tool for content creation and social engagement, it challenges the dominance of mainstream platforms that control creators through algorithms.
Patreon is advocating for creator autonomy, giving individuals more control over their work, branding, and interactions with fans. This trend, if successful, could drive a larger movement where creators seek platforms that prioritize their independence and unique needs over corporate interests.
In essence, the future of the gig economy might lean more towards empowering individual creators and less towards conforming to platform-imposed standards.
Full story: https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23899694/patreon-app-redesign-creator-pages-community-chats?
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December 26, 2023
November 7, 2023
