Australia Freelance Market News 63
Dear Readers,
In today's newsletter we take a look at how modern business is leveraging the flexible-workforce model with nearly 20% of all employers using freelancers to a greater extent. Cost control and skill optimisations are major drivers as is headcount flexibility.
We also provide some tips on how as a freelancer you can better promote and sell your services and increase your chances of success.
For those of you who do not have the capability at present, we introduce you to some free PDF conversion software that will allow you to create your own professional Adobe documents.
Lastly, but definitely not least, we introduce you to the fascinating Dr Brunhild Stuerckow who at 86 is our oldest and most exceptional freelance consultant. Dr Stuerckow is a teleworker based in California who specialises in translating highly technical literature from German to English.
Wishing you a busy and success March.
Kind regards
Bert Franzen
Business Takes Advantage Of The Flexible-Workforce!
Using Freelance / Contract specialist personnel is providing business with exceptional level of flexibility. Businesses are taking advantage of and implementing a flexible workforce as a means of tapping into high calibre skill sets without incurring the high ongoing salary cost.
As reported by Hays Australia, the flexible workforce employment strategy still remains underutilised despite the number of organisations employing temporary/contract staff on a regular ongoing basis rising to 20 percent in the 2010, up from 16 percent in 2009.
Their salary guide, which surveyed 1,800 employers, shows 47 percent use temporary/contract staff for special projects/workloads. This is consistent with, 33 percent say they would use temporary/contract staff in only exceptional circumstances.
Hays Queensland Director Darren Buchanan says a flexible workforce is more than just a way to avoid permanent headcount or cut costs.
'A flexible workforce is also about a long-term workforce management strategy, in which such factors as not just project work, but also peak demands, annual leave and system updates are considered,' Buchanan says.
'The key lies in finding the right balance between permanent staff and temporary employees. Given emerging skills shortages, it´s about the ability to access specific skills and broadening the organisation´s pool of talent...' he says.
According to Buchanan, temporary and contract workers can fulfil both short and medium-term needs, with assignments ranging from just a few days or weeks up to many months and, in some cases, even years.
'Flexibility is the key, with the ability to redistribute, increase or decrease headcount as the needs of the business change.' he says.
Contractor Profile
You're Never Too Old – 86 Year Old Translator
We are proud to be graced with the registration of Dr Brunhild Stuerckow who works as teleworker from California who specialises in translating complex documents focused in such areas as scientific literature, medical documentation, and financial as well as agricultural and religious subject matter.
Dr Struerckow has a fascinating history. Having survived some harrowing years during the Second World War, the early 1950's saw her working at nights to undertake a six year degree in biology achieving a PhD. She went on to work as a researcher with the famous Max Planck Institute in Heidelberg and in the mid 60's was invited by the prestigious John Hopkins University in the USA. In the early 70's she took on a lecturing position with North Eastern University in Boston.
So why Australia? As a tele-worker, it really doesn't matter where the work is but there was a special attraction. In 1973, Dr Stuerckow, as a teaching scientist, travelled to Australia to attend the International Science Conference in Canberra and became intrigued with the country. She spent a full four weeks there and also took the opportunity, to get to know the land and culture of the East Coast, including Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. She was already intrigued by the stunning breadth and beauty of the country and describes Australia as a country with many facets - from which she would have liked to have seen more.
Her exceptional level of education is a testament to her enthusiasm for all things new and is indicative in the high quality of her translations. She has a particular interest in old poems, stories and all things concerning nature. 'I want to bring light into darkness, whether of science or the language.'
For Dr Stuerckow, it's never too late to learn something new. So in 1990, at the age of 66 years, she began working with computers and has perfectly mastered the world of the Internet and in 2010, she discovered the joys of working as freelancer.
We at Freelance-Market hope that Dr. Stuerkow's vitality and enthusiasm provides a role model for all mature professionals who are considering spending their best years in service-based Un-retirement.