His topic describes a phenomenon that is disrupting the way new technology is being developed. The bricks and mortar world we have known for much of the Industrial Revolution and even prior to it when artisans set up their own shops and guilds operated in towns and cities is vanishing. And where the talent to develop these new technologies comes from is far larger than the local employable pool of young, smart people.
The world is getting much smaller these days as good concepts get married to talented innovators from anywhere. When Alex talks about 1099 and W-2 workers he is describing a unique U.S. designation. But other companies in other countries are also drawing on international talent to help build disruptive new technologies. It’s just the way the world is going these days.
I hope you enjoy Alex’s contribution.
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One of the most popular competitions for Silicon Valley startups is TechCrunch’s Disrupt in San Francisco, where innovators and entrepreneurs vie for the chance at a funding grant that could take their idea from small startup to global corporation.
The name “Disrupt” is fitting for such a gathering because that’s exactly what these startups do to business as we know it today — disrupt the status quo. And one of the fastest traditions to start crumbling is brick and mortar commerce. While America is still flooded with shopping malls and rows of stores along our streets, certain industries are deconstructing the brick and mortar model. Just take Blockbuster as an example. It used to be a staple for home movies and now, thanks to Netflix, is as old a relic as the touch-tone home phone.
While Netflix is a famous example for digital disruption in a particular industry, there’s a more widespread change happening to the brick and mortar model and it has less to do with what’s being sold and more to do with the model of its employment — the gig economy.
What Is the Gig Economy?
The gig economy is comprised of temporary contract workers as opposed to full-time or even part-time employees. To explain the difference in the sense of taxes, gig economy workers get a 1099 at the end of the year and traditional employees get a W-2. The main difference is that payroll taxes are automatically deducted from the paycheck of W-2 workers and 1099 employees calculate and pay their payroll taxes every quarter.
While some industries like copywriting and graphic design have used the gig economy for years, the practice is now sweeping genres that have relied on full-time employees for decades. The gig economy isn’t limited to San Francisco, either. Copywriters, graphic designers, software developers, construction workers, handymen and crafters are working on gigs in their neighborhoods across the country. While some may find their own work through their community, many use online and remote companies like Elance, oDesk, Task Rabbit, Lyft and more.
Uber & Advantages of Gig Work
Uber knows all about the gig economy. It’s turning the taxi industry on its head by using contracted drivers instead of full-time employees associated with yellow taxis. And while some accuse Uber of shortchanging drivers with the loopholes of contracted employment, the practice has advantages for workers too:
Gig Economy & E-Commerce
The gig economy doesn’t just benefit workers, it can also create new owners as well. Because e-commerce is now so easy and popular, anyone with a new product or idea can take it to market virtually instantly. That’s one reason why network marketing is taking off in the 21st Century. Associates of companies like Amway can run their whole business online and through social media.
E-commerce brands like Chubbies Shorts, which also has a huge social media presence, uses brand ambassadors to get its name out there. While these ambassadors do work for free (they’re usually given free products, discounts and social media recognition), they do contribute to the gig economy that many companies are adopting. Another example of this is social media influencers, where people with thousands or millions of followers are paid by new companies to promote products on their Instagram pages.
How will you benefit from the gig economy? There are owners who benefit from affordable workers, workers who benefit from flexible jobs and entrepreneurs who benefit from the best of both. But one way or another, traditional commerce as we know it is declining.
In today’s guest blog our contributor, Alex Clark-McGlenn, writes about the paradigm shift brought about by the confluence of technical innovation and a generational mindset. If you don’t believe this is true just get on a bus or subway car and watch what people do. In a recent IBM thinktank they describe the behavior aptly….”people tethered to their devices.” This is the means by which they see the world and this is the tool of choice for changing it.
Alex is studying for his Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. This is his first contribution to Techso Mogro blog. He has been published in eFiction Magazine, Inkwell at Evergreen, Slightly West Literary Magazine, and appeared in Smokebox Literary Magazine. Alex resides in Bellingham, Washington.
I hope you enjoy his contribution today and welcome your comments.
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Social media is all about connections. From keeping up with friends and family to your favorite celebrities and sports teams, social media keeps you connected with the world. But how can social media bring about social change? Well, it’s happened before and with continued technology advancements, new and different social media platforms are becoming available for people to connect in meaningful and important ways. Here are just a few examples.
1. FireChat and the Hong Kong Protests
FireChat is a new, internet-free chat app that allows users to communicate peer-to-peer without an internet connection. This app is available for Android and iPhones and bills itself as “off the grid,” because of its peer-to-peer functionality. So how does FireChat work without a cell signal or internet connection? With Bluetooth technology, of course. However, when using the “nearby” mode, you will only be able to chat with others close to you. And though this may sound limiting in this way, a message can spread through a crowd like wildfire.
In 2014 FireChat was instrumental in the organization of the Hong Kong protests where pro-democracy citizens staged peaceful protests in the city centers. Protest organizers encouraged protesters to download the app when they began to suspect the Chinese government would shut down cellular phone towers in order to try and limit the communication between organizers and the protesters. In just 24 hours, 100,000 people in China downloaded the app.
2. Multiplatform Revolutions
While social media is a great way of organizing and spreading the word when other means of communications are being cut off, certain social media platforms are also helpful for civilians. Sites like Twitter and Facebook haven’t just lead to the ousting of dangerous dictators in countries like Tunisia and Egypt, but can also inform civilians about their neighbors and people they know functioning in underground movements.
Back in 2012, during a torrid time in Egypt, protest organizers used Facebook to plan rallies, Twitter to communicate and coordinate with protesters, and then YouTube to inform the rest of the world about their actions. In a globalized world, public opinion is everything—so showing the world their efforts at making their country a better place helped protesters garner massive amounts of support.
3. Tips for Creating Social Change
While protesters in countries like China, Egypt, and even Yemen have used a variety of social media platforms to bring about social change, they were in situations that dictated the use of these platforms in organic fashion. While this kind of use can’t be replicated, there are things you can learn from how protesters have used social media in the past.
Craft a Clear Message: When creating real social change, your message must be clear and concise. However, even a great idea and clear message with concise wording might not gain traction immediately. This is okay. Don’t be deterred by a lack of results. It takes time for concepts to take root in a social group’s mind. But once there, and if it is a good one, people will follow.
Be Approachable: While a clear goal can give people faith in the fact that your cause will bring about worthwhile change, being approachable and open to suggestions is a must. Remember, platforms like Twitter and Facebook aren’t only for pushing your message. They are two-way conversation platforms. Listen to those who care about the issue you are addressing and incorporate their ideas.
Start the Conversation: Just because you’re using social media in order to bring about social change doesn’t mean you have to dumb down your message. Whether it is 140 characters, or a one-minute movie, be articulate and don’t skirt the big issues.
