The gig economy, of course, refers to the increasing fragmentation of jobs into one-time or limited-time engagements of independent contractors rather than traditional full- or even part-time employment. Major digital disruptors such as Uber car-sharing and the Airbnb vacation-rental site essentially have created this new layer of the economy with the popularity of their services and by creating revenue opportunities for individuals who want to provide them.
Republican presidential candidate Bush made a point of backing the entrepreneurial drive of Uber by taking a ride with an Uber driver recently, while Democratic presidential favorite Clinton made a point of raising concerns that workers could be exploited in the gig economy.
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is escalating his company to high-profile leadership in the gig economy as it tilts against vested interests such as city bureaucracies, taxi services and their licensed drivers, who are in favor of restricting for-hire vehicles. Uber even took out a full-page ad in The New York Times railing against Mayor Bill de Blasio and proposed curbs on Uber’s services in New York.
But CEOs in numerous industries besides transportation need to stay ahead of how the rise of the gig economy might affect them, for good or ill, and the opportunities it may create for them, not the least of which is the face that gig workers can save companies on labor costs and employee social-security taxes.
The number of Americans in all industries holding jobs mostly performed by part-time freelancers or part-time independent contractors grew to 32 million from just over 20 million between 2001 and 2014, according to Economic Modeling Specialists, rising to almost 18% of all jobs.
Apple, for example, directly employs fewer than 10% of more than 1 million workers around the world who are involved in its business. A company called HourlyNerd, based in Boston, connects alumni of top business schools and other specialized programs to companies with projects in need of completing, ranging from market analysis or examinations of pricing strategy, according to the Times. Surely the availability of gig workers in those disciplines is of interest to many CEOs.
Just as the gig economy is spreading, however, and becoming more mainstream, so are complications that business chiefs also will need to examine. For CEOs and company owners, political opposition to this type of employment is one thing, but legal opposition is a more immediate threat.
Some workers are suing over working conditions, compensation and other issues that naturally are sharper in the employment of independent contractors than traditional employees (one example that received heavy media exposure was the FedEx case).
“The rising legal retribution,” says Fast Company, a bible of the digital economy, “is a huge threat to the gig economy” because it could eliminate or reduce the huge labor-cost advantages. “Lose this workforce structure—either by a wave of class-action suits, or through the collective action of disgruntled workers—and you lose the gig economy.”
Read more:
Proof of a ‘Gig Economy’ Revolution Is Hard to Find (The Wall Street Journal, July 27, 2015)
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
