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Why corporations increasingly rely on intermediaries and IT freelancers

08/28/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

In recent years, the world of work has changed dramatically, and this change is also reflected in the business strategy of many large corporations. Instead of relying exclusively on traditional permanent hires, companies are increasingly turning to intermediaries and IT freelancers to help them achieve their projects and business goals. There are several reasons for this trend, which are beneficial to both the corporations and the freelancers themselves.

Flexibility and agility:

The fast-paced market requires companies to be able to quickly adapt to new situations and respond to current trends. By relying on intermediaries and IT freelancers, corporations can more easily respond to fluctuating workloads. They can assemble flexible teams and downsize or expand as needed without having to go through lengthy hiring processes. This flexibility allows them to use resources more efficiently and reduce costs.

Access to expert knowledge:

In an increasingly specialized business world, companies often need specific expertise for their projects. By working with intermediaries and IT freelancers, they gain access to a pool of talented experts who have the necessary know-how to meet their requirements. This allows corporations to tackle complex projects without having to maintain additional staff on a permanent basis.

Innovation and diversity:

Working with freelancers from different industries and backgrounds can stimulate the innovation process. External professionals often bring new ideas and perspectives that internal teams may miss. In addition, freelancers can bring cultural diversity and new ways of working to the company, which increases innovation and fosters creativity.

Cost optimization:

Hiring full-time employees comes with high costs, such as fringe benefits, employee benefits, health insurance and office infrastructure. By working with IT freelancers, corporations can reduce these costs, as freelancers typically provide their own resources and work on a self-employed basis.

Faster project delivery:

At a time when time is of the essence in gaining competitive advantage, by engaging intermediaries and IT freelancers, companies can get their projects done faster. Freelancers are often highly motivated to complete their work in less time, as their success can depend on how many projects they successfully complete and receive positive reviews.

Expanding the talent pool:

Many companies struggle to find qualified professionals, especially in certain niche areas or during times of a skills shortage. Working with freelancers significantly expands the talent pool for companies, as they are no longer limited to local candidates. They can search for the best experts on a global scale.

So overall, corporations benefit in many ways from collaborating with intermediaries and IT freelancers. By working in this way, they can respond more flexibly and agilely to market changes, gain access to specialized knowledge and experts, reduce costs, strengthen innovation and implement their projects faster. At the same time, freelancers themselves also benefit, as they can organize their working hours and projects more flexibly and have access to a larger number of potential clients. The increasing importance of freelancers and intermediaries in the economy suggests that this trend will continue in the future.

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Job hunting in times of challenge: Why IT freelancers in Germany are struggling with inflation, recession and rising demands

08/23/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

For IT freelancers, finding a job in Germany is currently difficult. A combination of inflation, economic recession and ever-increasing demands from clients are presenting more and more IT freelancers with challenges. In this situation, even experienced IT professionals face unfamiliar obstacles and have to deal with the stability and future of freelance work in the IT field.

1. Inflation and uncertainty:

Inflation of 6.2% in Germany, caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, has far-reaching economic effects. For IT freelancers in particular, this means the need to offer their services at prices that reflect the increased costs. The general uncertainty about future developments means that companies act more cautiously and projects are awarded more hesitantly.

2. Recession at home:

Germany is already in an economic recession for the third quarter in a row, which caused the gross domestic product to shrink by 0.3%. The reluctance of companies when it comes to new projects and investments has a direct impact on the demand for IT freelancers. With shrinking project budgets, outside experts are often the first to be crossed off the list, leading to a noticeable slump in orders.

3. Increasing demands from clients:

The demands of clients have skyrocketed in recent years - a development that poses particular challenges for IT freelancers. The expectation of the "perfect solution" is increasing, which raises the hurdle for many freelancers. Those who do not meet all the required criteria have a harder time acquiring orders.

4. Challenges for startups:

The once-bubbly startup scene faces its own difficulties. The bursting of the startup bubble and difficulties in raising or follow-up funding are impacting the availability of projects once offered by burgeoning startups.

5. The Impact of Rising Interest Rates:

Increasing interest rates have created a domino effect. Companies are more reluctant to make investment decisions, which is hampering demand for IT projects. At the same time, startups are also affected by this development, as financing options are narrowing.

In this demanding phase, flexibility is of the utmost importance for IT freelancers. The ability to adapt to changing market conditions, close cooperation with clients and the targeted search for niche markets could offer ways of asserting oneself in this challenging economic situation. Continuous training and the willingness to rethink existing business models are indispensable. The freelancer community is entering a period of change where adaptability and the spirit of innovation are more important than ever.

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How and where do I find clients?

08/02/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS
There are many ways to find clients. First of all, you can search for clients in your network, e.g. among friends, relatives and acquaintances. Online platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr also offer a variety of clients. In addition, you can search for jobs on job boards or try to market your services directly to companies.
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Freelancing - What are the pros & cons?

06/16/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

Freelancing, or working on your own as a freelancer, has both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most important ones:

Advantages:

Flexibility: as a freelancer, you have the freedom to determine your own working hours and location. You can adapt your work to your personal needs and priorities.

Independence: You are your own boss and have full control over your work. You can make your own decisions and don't have to compromise.

Potentially higher income: As a freelancer, you have the opportunity to charge higher hourly rates or project fees than you would in a traditional salaried position.

Varied work: as a freelancer, you have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and projects, which provides variety and challenge.

Disadvantages:

No guaranteed income: As a freelancer, there are no fixed income guarantees. You may have to go without assignments and income for some time.

Self-employment means working alone: As a freelancer, you often work alone, without colleagues or supervisors, which can affect social interaction and motivation.

Administrative tasks: As a freelancer, you will have to take care of administrative tasks yourself, such as invoicing, accounting, and taxes.

Uncertainty: As a freelancer, there is always the risk that orders and projects will fall away or that demand will change, which can mean uncertainty and financial instability.

So overall, there are many pros and cons to freelancing. It depends on personal preferences, skills and goals whether this type of work is a good choice.

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Press relations for (solo) self-employed and freelancers - how it's done

06/15/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

As a solo self-employed or freelancer, it can be a challenge to publicize your work and services and reach potential clients. One effective way to do this is through targeted public relations. Here are some steps you can take as a solo self-employed or freelancer to do press outreach:

Create a list of relevant media: research relevant media outlets that are relevant to your target audience and business. Create a list of contact information for journalists or editors responsible for publishing articles in these media outlets:

Write a press release.

Write a press release: write a press release about your business, services or a specific project you are working on. Make sure your press release is clear and concise, and includes important information such as your name, company and contact information.

Send the press release: send your press release to the contacts on your list. Use a personal salutation and make sure you've spelled the recipient's email address correctly.

Send your press release to the contacts on your list.

Take follow-up action: If you don't get a response to your press release, take follow-up action. Call editors or send a friendly email to ask if they received your press release and if they need more information.

Use social media: Share your press release on your social media channels to increase reach. Use relevant hashtags to reach potential customers.

Offer expertise: Offer your expertise as a resource for journalists. If journalists need information on a topic related to your area of expertise, it could be an opportunity to get mentions in the press.

Supply your expertise as a resource for journalists.

Use opportunities: Take advantage of opportunities such as events or conferences to showcase your work and connect with journalists or editors.

Use press opportunities.

Press relations can be an effective way to get known as a solo self-employed or freelancer and reach potential clients. With a little effort and creativity, you can draw media attention to you and your business.

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