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Remote Workforce Models – What Are Your Options?

We’ve explored what a global workforce is, how it was developed and how it can be implemented to drive business growth.

What people don’t understand is that there are a variety of different ways that a business can access a remote workforce.

It all depends on growth aspirations, business objectives and the reasons as to why a global (remote) workforce is being considered. Whether it is a small business looking for a marketing coordinator to assist them, a small-medium looking to increase the capacity of a sales team or a large corporation outsourcing a complete function, there is a specific model. These include:

  • Freelancing
  • Outsourcing
  • Offshoring

Each of these models are vastly different and there are several factors that define each. These include the level of managerial control, workflow management, task turnaround and specific employment requirements (hours, salary, equipment required, privacy requirements).

  • Freelancing – This method of utilising a remote worker is very simple. It involves an individual accessing the services of an individual remote worker on a casual basis to deliver a project task. Companies like Freelancer, Fiver or Upwork have built a platform where anyone can access the services of a freelancer to deliver any job required in a simple, cost-effective In this method, the person hiring the freelancer is in direct contact with the person delivering the work to complete the task.
  • Outsourcing – The use of outsourcing is a step-up from accessing a freelancer. Outsourcing is when a business accesses an third-party outsourcing provider to access a remote workforce. The outsourcing provider is provided a brief, from there they will select the staff and determine the cost for project completion. This method results in the consumer not having direct control over the remote worker delivering the project. The outsourced provider is not integrated within the business requesting the service.
  • Offshoring – The use of an offshore workforce is where a business will access an offshore services provider to build them a completely integrated offshore team. The business accessing the service provider will be involved in staff selection and maintain direct managerial control whilst the service provider will administer the key standard company functions.

As per above, there are a variety of different methods in which a business can access a remote workforce, from simply engaging with a freelancer to building a complete business unit. Each have their own pros, cons and complexities but all service a purpose.

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