INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
The trend towards desiring greater levels independence - and the autonomy, control and flexibility that comes with it - takes many forms. MORE
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance recently released its 2019 Independent Business Survey. The key finding is small independent businesses see large corporations - and especially Amazon - as their main competitive threat. They also feel government policies have not helped. MORE
The Washington Post's ‘This doesn’t look like the best economy ever’: 40% of Americans say they still struggle to pay bills covers the fact that despite a strong job market and a 10 year long economic recovery, a lot of Americans still struggle financially. MORE
Two companies that connect artisan makers with retailers and customers announced large funding rounds last week. The wholesale marketplace Faire raised $100 million while the wholesale and licensing business Minted said they raised $208 million. MORE
Quartz's Life coaches are the new personal trainer highlights a trend we've been tracking since 2008 , the growth of personal services. These are what noted labor economist David Autor calls "wealth work" A good example is the growth are personal trainers. MORE
The term disruptive innovation was coined by Harvard professor Clayton Christensen and popularized by his classic 1997 book The Innovator’s Dilemma. MORE
There's a mini controversy going on around whether or not coworking needs a new name. The recent Allwork article Why Coworking Needs a New Definition covers the new name side. MORE
"Risk shift" is the trend towards economic and other risks - and the responsibility for risk management - being shifted from institutions to individuals. MORE
According to data from the U.S, Census 2016 Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (the most recent data available), the median U.S. employer small business (those with paid traditional employees) generated less than $400k in revenue in 2016. MORE
Regular readers know we like Pet Trends here at Small Business Labs. So we had to cover the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's article The Pet Economy Kicks Into Overdrive. The article covers the growth of the pet economy. MORE
Last week the Big 3 strategy consulting firm BCG released THE NEW FREELANCERS: TAPPING TALENT IN THE GIG ECONOMY , a study on "those who find temporary work through digital labor-sharing platforms." MORE
The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy recently released A Look at Non-Employer Businesses , a one-page summary of key data on non-employers businesses. "Non-employer" MORE
According to the U.S. Census, the number of nonemployer businesses in 2017 increased to 25,701,671, up 3.6% from 2016. Nonemployers are businesses that have an owner, but don't have paid traditional full or part-time employees (W2 employees). MORE
WeWork's troubles seem to be going from bad to worse. They lowered their target IPO valuation from their last private funding round value of $47 billion to under $20 billion - and maybe as low as $10 billion. MORE
The 2019 U.S. version of the Global Coworking Unconference Conference Series (GCUC) happened last week in Denver. Over 500 attendees showed up to discuss the state of the coworking industry and learn from one another. MORE
As we pointed out earlier this week , firms of all sizes and types are increasing their use of freelancers and other forms of non-employee labor. MORE
It's been a busy couple of weeks for gig economy studies. Below is a list of 4 of the recently released studies. MORE
Recode's How remote work is quietly remaking our lives provides a deep dive on the growing impacts of the shift towards working remotely. Key quote: "The changes remote work has introduced have happened so gradually you may not have noticed. MORE
Deloitte has become, in our opinion, one of the key go-to sources of information and analysis on the future of work. Their recent article Redefining work, workforces, and workplaces is a good example. In a relatively short article, it nicely synthesizes and explains "multiple converging trends and how they are already fundamentally changing all aspects of work." MORE
The Brewers Association recently released their small and craft brewing economic impact report for 2018. The study found that the craft brewing industry contributed $79.1 Billion to the U.S. Economy in 2018 and provided directly and indirectly about 550,000 jobs. MORE
Our article yesterday covered a study showing how work autonomy and control resulted in mental health benefits for the self-employed. As a follow-up, the chart below (click to enlarge) is from the Freshbooks 2019 Self-Employment in America Report. MORE
CreditUnions.com's article 3 Ways to Connect Through Coworking Spaces provides an excellent example of how coworking is spreading across industry verticals and niche markets. The article highlights 3 credit unions that have opened coworking spaces. MORE
Despite trade wars, tariffs, and the erection of other barriers to cross-border commerce, independent workers, freelancers and solopreneurs are increasingly finding customers outside U.S. borders. MORE
A recent academic study found that self-employed gig workers in the UK score higher across a range of psychological well-being measures than workers in the mainstream economy. MORE
The Federal Reserve recently released its 2019 Small Business Credit Survey. A key finding is the use of online lending sources by small businesses is rapidly expanding. MORE
We're often asked what the most popular professions are for freelancers and independent workers. This is not as easy a question to answer as it seems. Independent workers serve all industries, work with both businesses and consumers and participate in pretty much every job type and profession. MORE
Several papers related to the gig economy presented last week at the American Economic Association annual meeting caught our eye. MORE
One of the ongoing questions around independent/gig work is its impact on the financial well-being of independent workers (freelancers, gig workers, self-employed, etc.). MORE
Last week Uber announced Uber Works , a platform that connects workers with businesses that need to fill available shifts in hourly jobs such as cooks, warehouse workers, commercial cleaners and events staffing. MORE
MetLife recently released The Gig Economy: Opportunities, Challenges, and Employer Strategies. MORE
McKinsey's The overlooked essentials of employee well-being focuses on how companies can improve the well-being of their employees. MORE
In case you hadn't heard, podcasting is booming. According to The Infinite Dial 2019 , an annual survey conducted by Edison Research and Triton Digital, more than half of all adult Americans have listened to one. MORE
MBO Partners released their 2019 State of Independence study this week. This is the 9th year of this ongoing study, which provides an in-depth look at American's independent workers (freelancers, independent contractors, self-employed, etc.). MORE
MBO Partners this week released Digital Nomads: Leading the Shift to Remote and Distributed Work. The key finding of this study is 7.3 million Americans identify as digital nomads. MORE
Fiverr this week announced a new service offering called "Studios" This service gives freelancers the ability to easily join forces to sell and tackle larger and more complex client assignments than a freelancer could do on their own. MORE
One of the more interesting findings from the 9 years of data from the MBO Partners State of Independence study series is how many Americans enter and exit independent work. MORE
California recently passed AB5 , a law that changes how workers are classified. AB5 establishes an “ABC” test to decide whether or not a worker is an employee or a contractor. The law starts with the assumption that everyone is an employee. MORE
Upwork released their 2019 Freelancing in America study. It's the 6th year Upwork has conducted this study. The study found about 57 million Americans are freelancing. This equates to 35% of the workforce. MORE
Fast Company's Social clubs died out in America. Now, venture capital is bringing them back provides an interesting look at the changing landscape of American social clubs. The article starts by pointing out the long decline in the membership of traditional clubs. Key quote: "Over the last few decades, sociologists and political scientists have found that American clubs of all stripes–from youth service clubs to bowling leagues–have experienced steep declines in their memberships. MORE
Purpose and a Paycheck is a new book from Chris Farrell, a leading expert on retirement and workforce issues facing people over the age of 50. MORE
Small Business Labs
OCTOBER 15, 2019
One of the more interesting findings from the 9 years of data from the MBO Partners State of Independence study series is how many Americans enter and exit independent work.
Small Business Labs
OCTOBER 14, 2019
Recode's How remote work is quietly remaking our lives provides a deep dive on the growing impacts of the shift towards working remotely. Key quote: "The changes remote work has introduced have happened so gradually you may not have noticed.
Small Business Labs
JULY 9, 2019
Despite trade wars, tariffs, and the erection of other barriers to cross-border commerce, independent workers, freelancers and solopreneurs are increasingly finding customers outside U.S. borders.
Small Business Labs
AUGUST 29, 2019
One of the ongoing questions around independent/gig work is its impact on the financial well-being of independent workers (freelancers, gig workers, self-employed, etc.).
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
WeWork's troubles seem to be going from bad to worse. They lowered their target IPO valuation from their last private funding round value of $47 billion to under $20 billion - and maybe as low as $10 billion.
Small Business Labs
OCTOBER 8, 2019
Upwork released their 2019 Freelancing in America study. It's the 6th year Upwork has conducted this study. The study found about 57 million Americans are freelancing. This equates to 35% of the workforce.
Small Business Labs
APRIL 9, 2019
According to MetLife's 2019 U.S. Employee Benefits Study, 23% of Americans with full-time traditional jobs intend to switch to gig work over the next 5 years. Another 14% say they are considering it.
Small Business Labs
OCTOBER 7, 2019
Last week Uber announced Uber Works , a platform that connects workers with businesses that need to fill available shifts in hourly jobs such as cooks, warehouse workers, commercial cleaners and events staffing.
Small Business Labs
JULY 8, 2019
According to the U.S. Census, the number of nonemployer businesses in 2017 increased to 25,701,671, up 3.6% from 2016. Nonemployers are businesses that have an owner, but don't have paid traditional full or part-time employees (W2 employees).
Small Business Labs
JUNE 20, 2019
MBO Partners released their 2019 State of Independence study this week. This is the 9th year of this ongoing study, which provides an in-depth look at American's independent workers (freelancers, independent contractors, self-employed, etc.).
Small Business Labs
AUGUST 26, 2019
According to data from the 2019 MBO Partners State of Independence study , 83% of full-time independent workers report working remotely at least some of the time, and 31% report working remotely full-time.
Small Business Labs
AUGUST 20, 2019
Our article yesterday covered a study showing how work autonomy and control resulted in mental health benefits for the self-employed. As a follow-up, the chart below (click to enlarge) is from the Freshbooks 2019 Self-Employment in America Report.
Small Business Labs
AUGUST 5, 2019
Fiverr this week announced a new service offering called "Studios" This service gives freelancers the ability to easily join forces to sell and tackle larger and more complex client assignments than a freelancer could do on their own.
Small Business Labs
AUGUST 19, 2019
A recent academic study found that self-employed gig workers in the UK score higher across a range of psychological well-being measures than workers in the mainstream economy.
Small Business Labs
MARCH 14, 2019
As we pointed out earlier this week , firms of all sizes and types are increasing their use of freelancers and other forms of non-employee labor.
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
MBO Partners this week released Digital Nomads: Leading the Shift to Remote and Distributed Work. The key finding of this study is 7.3 million Americans identify as digital nomads.
Small Business Labs
APRIL 23, 2019
The Federal Reserve recently released its 2019 Small Business Credit Survey. A key finding is the use of online lending sources by small businesses is rapidly expanding.
Small Business Labs
APRIL 22, 2019
The 2019 U.S. version of the Global Coworking Unconference Conference Series (GCUC) happened last week in Denver. Over 500 attendees showed up to discuss the state of the coworking industry and learn from one another.
Small Business Labs
MAY 28, 2019
"Risk shift" is the trend towards economic and other risks - and the responsibility for risk management - being shifted from institutions to individuals.
Small Business Labs
OCTOBER 1, 2019
MetLife recently released The Gig Economy: Opportunities, Challenges, and Employer Strategies.
Small Business Labs
JULY 18, 2019
Regular readers know we like Pet Trends here at Small Business Labs. So we had to cover the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's article The Pet Economy Kicks Into Overdrive. The article covers the growth of the pet economy.
Small Business Labs
APRIL 1, 2019
CreditUnions.com's article 3 Ways to Connect Through Coworking Spaces provides an excellent example of how coworking is spreading across industry verticals and niche markets. The article highlights 3 credit unions that have opened coworking spaces.
Small Business Labs
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
Purpose and a Paycheck is a new book from Chris Farrell, a leading expert on retirement and workforce issues facing people over the age of 50.
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
According to a survey from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling , military service members and their spouses are turning turn to the gig economy to supplement their income.
Small Business Labs
JANUARY 28, 2019
Last week the Big 3 strategy consulting firm BCG released THE NEW FREELANCERS: TAPPING TALENT IN THE GIG ECONOMY , a study on "those who find temporary work through digital labor-sharing platforms."
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
Liza On-Demand is a TV show that, according to its description: follows the chaotic misadventures of Liza, a young woman in Los Angeles who is trying to make a career out of juggling various gig economy jobs — for lack of a better idea of what to do with her life.
Small Business Labs
SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
California recently passed AB5 , a law that changes how workers are classified. AB5 establishes an “ABC” test to decide whether or not a worker is an employee or a contractor. The law starts with the assumption that everyone is an employee.
Small Business Labs
FEBRUARY 7, 2019
The trend towards desiring greater levels independence - and the autonomy, control and flexibility that comes with it - takes many forms.
Small Business Labs
OCTOBER 16, 2018
McKinsey's The overlooked essentials of employee well-being focuses on how companies can improve the well-being of their employees.
Small Business Labs
JUNE 4, 2019
Fast Company's Social clubs died out in America. Now, venture capital is bringing them back provides an interesting look at the changing landscape of American social clubs. The article starts by pointing out the long decline in the membership of traditional clubs. Key quote: "Over the last few decades, sociologists and political scientists have found that American clubs of all stripes–from youth service clubs to bowling leagues–have experienced steep declines in their memberships.
Small Business Labs
NOVEMBER 27, 2018
The term disruptive innovation was coined by Harvard professor Clayton Christensen and popularized by his classic 1997 book The Innovator’s Dilemma.
Small Business Labs
JULY 15, 2019
The Washington Post's ‘This doesn’t look like the best economy ever’: 40% of Americans say they still struggle to pay bills covers the fact that despite a strong job market and a 10 year long economic recovery, a lot of Americans still struggle financially.
Small Business Labs
AUGUST 13, 2019
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance recently released its 2019 Independent Business Survey. The key finding is small independent businesses see large corporations - and especially Amazon - as their main competitive threat. They also feel government policies have not helped.
Small Business Labs
NOVEMBER 20, 2018
The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy recently released A Look at Non-Employer Businesses , a one-page summary of key data on non-employers businesses. "Non-employer"
Small Business Labs
MAY 13, 2019
Deloitte has become, in our opinion, one of the key go-to sources of information and analysis on the future of work. Their recent article Redefining work, workforces, and workplaces is a good example. In a relatively short article, it nicely synthesizes and explains "multiple converging trends and how they are already fundamentally changing all aspects of work."
Small Business Labs
MARCH 19, 2019
We're often asked what the most popular professions are for freelancers and independent workers. This is not as easy a question to answer as it seems. Independent workers serve all industries, work with both businesses and consumers and participate in pretty much every job type and profession.
Small Business Labs
NOVEMBER 26, 2018
There's a mini controversy going on around whether or not coworking needs a new name. The recent Allwork article Why Coworking Needs a New Definition covers the new name side.
Small Business Labs
APRIL 11, 2019
In case you hadn't heard, podcasting is booming. According to The Infinite Dial 2019 , an annual survey conducted by Edison Research and Triton Digital, more than half of all adult Americans have listened to one.
Small Business Labs
DECEMBER 17, 2018
Two companies that connect artisan makers with retailers and customers announced large funding rounds last week. The wholesale marketplace Faire raised $100 million while the wholesale and licensing business Minted said they raised $208 million.
Small Business Labs
JUNE 18, 2019
According to data from the U.S, Census 2016 Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (the most recent data available), the median U.S. employer small business (those with paid traditional employees) generated less than $400k in revenue in 2016.
Small Business Labs
JULY 1, 2019
It's been a busy couple of weeks for gig economy studies. Below is a list of 4 of the recently released studies.
Small Business Labs
JANUARY 7, 2019
Several papers related to the gig economy presented last week at the American Economic Association annual meeting caught our eye.
Small Business Labs
MARCH 11, 2019
Quartz's Life coaches are the new personal trainer highlights a trend we've been tracking since 2008 , the growth of personal services. These are what noted labor economist David Autor calls "wealth work" A good example is the growth are personal trainers.
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