I made several career changes in my career life in the last 18 years: from HR to Sales and Marketing, then back to HR; from HR to Freelance Consultancy, then back to HR again; then now to Online Freelancing –aptly called, Virtual Freelancing. Although the latter was more of a decision brought about by other pressing issues, it was nevertheless a calculated decision. Here are a few mixed-notions that occupy my waking hours why I chose to leave my corporate life for good:
Phenomenal Growth of Hybrid Organizations
The last 10 years were characterized by ‘outsourcing.’ Roughly 90% of businesses have outsourced one or more of their business operations elsewhere. According to IAOP (The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals
) in their 2010 State of the Industry Survey Report, while the global economic crisis is not waning, yet more than 50% of their respondent organizations have increased their outsourced work volume and scope.
) in their 2010 State of the Industry Survey Report, while the global economic crisis is not waning, yet more than 50% of their respondent organizations have increased their outsourced work volume and scope.This means that more and more organizations are transforming into a ‘hybrid type’. By the way, when I refer to ‘hybrid organization’, this is not the traditional definition of an organization operating both in the private and public sectors. Hybrid organizations today are those who have outsourced certain aspects of their operation whether onsite or online. These organizations are filling the global business landscape and beginning to set an entirely different way of doing business.
Emergence of the Virtual Workforce
Another significant byproduct of the ‘outsourcing’ phenomena is the rise of a huge ‘Virtual Workforce’.
You are by now familiar with the VA or Virtual Assistant which used to occupy a large chunk of this new breed of employee groups. Today is entirely different. Many have joined the ranks of VA’s, but using their current professions and competencies. These are no mere VA’s. These are programmers, web developers, designers, architects, writers, accountants, and on. And with these, many agencies have also risen to the occasion to tap this market. So the result: the proliferation of online freelance and recruitment websites.
New Roles for the HR Professional
These trends created new realities and opportunities for the HR Professionals. And I would like to be on the forefront.
It is logical that with the emergence of a virtual workforce, there is also a need for other auxiliary services such as the HR. However, this requires for new sets of HR competencies essential in managing these virtual workforces. It is imperative then that an HR Practitioner starts looking beyond her/his facebook, twitter, or linked social engagements and start immersing, assimilating in the world of virtual management.
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About the Author
Nor Franco is the Managing Director and Virtual CEO of nextManager.net. He's a former corporate executive whose passion is bringing out the full potential of HR in Businesses. This time that passion is pursued through Virtual Management. He writes and blogs about his management views and insights here. Follow him on Twitter.
