Perspectives on the Future of Work: May 2

Upwork’s weekly column brings you the latest news on hiring and working with freelancers, freelancing, and the future of work.

Digitalist | How To Create a Culture of Continuous Learning

Beyond the walls of traditional educational institutions, the way we learn continues to be transformed by the digital age. Whether you’re a business leader eager to help your team level-up its skills or a freelance entrepreneur bridging skill gaps to land new clients, specialized post-secondary learning is far easier than it once was thanks to the range of ebooks, apps, online courses, and other digital resources available.

Business writer and tech consultant Polly Traylor reports that this shift is spurring companies and entrepreneurs alike to find new ways to keep skills sharpened through virtual learning opportunities. Speaking with experts on the subject, Traylor uncovers interesting perspective on the growing trend toward creating a culture to spur ongoing learning beyond the physical classroom.

“My daughter wanted to apply to the Centers for Disease Control for an internship, which required statistics knowledge. So she went to Khan Academy, took a few modules, and passed the test,” said author and workplace futurist Karie Willyerd. “It’s the idea that you can instantly get the training you need…companies are getting increasingly virtual. There will be a very limited percentage of training that is done live in the future.”

It’s not just a transition to digital formats, either. The goal of creating continuous learning opportunities is an approach more businesses are adopting these days.

“The general shelf life of knowledge is shortening with the increasing pace of digital transformation, so companies need a strategy to push knowledge and make sure that knowledge is always fresh,” said Bernd Welz, a senior VP at SAP. “That’s where the digital learning platforms come into play.

Tech.Co | Being an Entrepreneur Might Be Contagious

Have you caught the entrepreneurial bug yet? Hanging around creative folks who are constantly coming up with inventive ideas to pursue? It might be just a matter of time before you get bitten, too, says Tech.Co writer Conor Cawley.

A recent study from the World Economic Forum suggests individuals who are surrounded by entrepreneurs are significantly more likely to become one themselves: The historical data taken from a study of a dozen of Italy’s entrepreneurial centers shows marked upward trends in these hotspots.

“The study dictates that the learning environment created by startup hubs is invaluable to people looking to start a business,” writes Cawley in his analysis. “While researchers originally thought that the draw of low startup prices was bringing entrepreneurs to certain areas, the data showed that impressionable minds are highly influenced by an entrepreneurial setting.”

Freelancers Union | Why Other Freelancers are Not the Enemy

Camaraderie, not competition, is the lifeblood of the freelance economy, says business blogger Sagan Morrow. She makes a strong case for encouraging freelancers to make nice with their self-employed brethren. Given the challenges that freelancers can face, Morrow says it’s important to band together and forge a strong sense of community to support and help one another.

“When you have other freelancers with whom you can connect, share ideas, and simply commiserate on the challenges that are unique to freelancing, you’ll be able to do an even better job freelancing,” she said. “You need to be able to have others to whom you can go who understand your line of work so that you can help each other out, brainstorm, and constantly improve at the world of freelancing.”

The fact that many freelancers offer very different services, and not everyone has the bandwidth to tackle every gig opportunity that arises, also adds to her argument that it’s more valuable to make friends with other freelancers—especially when people are in the position to help one another out.

What business trends have caught your attention recently? Tell us about them in the comments below!

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