Apps to earn money in the Gig Economy

There really is an app for that!

I've been intrigued by the Gig Economy.  It's a term that is thrown around freely and often without much thought.  It sounds cool!  The reality is very different.  I've been in the Gig Economy since the recession of 2008.  That was when some full-time jobs turned into 'Fixed-term-Contracts'; when having a 'Side hustle' became necessary for many.  Technology, especially mobility plays a big part in the Gig Economy and of course there is an app for almost everything.  I found this chart interesting and informative in layout out the top 150 apps and websites designed specifically for the Gig Economy:

 Chris Morales

Thrive in the Gig Economy

Don't survive, thrive in the Gig Economy!

Just about everyone has a 'side hustle'.  A part-time job, a web business or consulting gig.  Other than the part-time job, success depends on generating qualified leads.  Then turning those leads into customers.  That takes selling skills.

While teaching over the past 3 years at George Brown College in the Continuing Education Program (Part-time of course), I've observed that no matter the course, Students crave three skills:

1. How to think like an Entrepreneur.  In this particular GBC course, 'Entrepreneurship', they learn how to look for unfulfilled market opportunities then develop a venture that satisfied that need.  They could be inventing something all new but more often it's providing a service just a little bit better than someone else.
2. Business Operation skills.  How do I set up my business?  What's a Balance Sheet?  How do use Cash Flow projections?  These are the things covered in the Small Business course at GBC.
3. Sales skills.  Not everyone will have 'Sales' in their job descriptions but these students want to learn how to sell better.  Most often, how to sell themselves!  In the Professional Selling GBC Course, they learn Trust-based, Relationship Selling strategies and techniques focused on solving their customers problems.

Taken all together,  these are the essential skills needed to thrive in business, and especially in the Gig Economy!

For more information and details on the 4 hour Sales Training Workshop for your Team or Organization, contact me at chris@chrismorales.ca

The Side Hustle in the Gig Economy

The Side Hustle is a growing part of the Gig Economy as job security becomes even more tenuous and more workers find themselves underemployed and in part-time work! Learning how to navigate in this fast-changing economy is even more necessary!

Looking to improve your selling skills?  Check out this Sales Training Workshop, Sales Training For The Rest Of Us

Thriving in the Gig Economy

'Jobs' in the Gig Economy are on pace to make up nearly 40% of the workplace by the year 2020 (Intuit 2020 Report).  This trend is being driven by demographics, economics and technology:  Younger workers entering the marketplace, global competition and digital technology that allows workers to be anywhere!  

First, let's define 'The Gig Economy':  "An employment concept in which people are paid for each specific, short-term task that they do and don't have conventional contracts of employment" (The Gig Economy). This Harvard Business Review article, Thriving in the Gig Economy notes that Gig Economy workers need to produce or perish.  That is as ruthless as it sounds!   Add to that she must pay constant attention to securing the next gig.  She is always in 'Prospecting Mode'...always thinking about 'Selling her skills' to the next potential customer.  

Personal selling skills have never been more important.  Marketing yourself first then knowing how to sell yourself to prospective employers.  Colleges have expanded their offerings in this area and companies offering sales training for individuals have exploded.  I am a testament to this with the course on Professional Selling I teach at George Brown College that has grown into a Sales Training Workshop.  

Both young and older workers alike will face the realities of the Gig Economy. Certain specific skills will be in demand as digital technology moves into more areas but being able to show clearly how you add value will be the #1 skill to thrive.   

Chris Morales
chris@chrismorales.ca