Blog

We’ve seen the rise of the Independent Party, Independent Film, Independent Music, and Independent Media, but there seems to be a new movement afoot that just might be more important than all combined, the rise of the Independent Professional.  While the other “Independent” movements impact, or have the potential to impact, our two party system, our entertainment, and our ways of consuming information, none have the potential to affect our economy or our livelihood as much as the Independent Professional movement.  While the magnitude of the movement is still developing, there are many reasons to believe that this “Free Agent Nation” (as Daniel Pink dubs it) is here to stay:

• Loyalty between employees and companies continues to deteriorate
• Increased Labor Specialization is driving companies to seek niche service providers from outside their four walls
• The Networked World is providing ever more opportunities for career development and learning outside of the corporation
• Technologies are arising that enable independents and businesses to engage around projects on an as needed basis, rather than extended contractual based relationships
• Costs for businesses to hire and retain employees continue to rise
• Unique providers are stepping up to fill the benefits and insurance void for independent professionals historically filled by the corporate world

Over the next few weeks I’ll explore each of these in more detail.  If there are other factors that I have left out, either supporting or undermining the rise of the Independent Professional, let me know, and I’ll do my best to incorporate.