Welcome to the Gig Economy where an army of workers called “giggers” are creating their own destiny as companies like Uber, AirBnb and Swiftaide among others are using technology to disrupt industries. This shift claims to focus on the worker where one gets to choose his/her own work hours in a hi-tech frontier, departing from the usual 9 to 5 jobs!
The sharing economy has helped create a novel form of business model where workers have a chance to earn money on their own schedules either through in-app payments and ratings-based marketplace ecosystem or by showcasing their expertise on tech platforms like Swiftaide. They can either be freelancers or full-time workers with side-hustles or those on temporary contracts.
Swiftaide is a Kenyan freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals offer services to customers countrywide. It offers gigs from low to high level skill set and seeks to connect clients to a reliable and larger pool of quality talent, while workers simultaneously can enjoy freedom and flexibility to find jobs online. So, if you are looking for highly skilled consultants in various industries ranging from heath to law to construction etc.., then this is the place to be!
Lying on the couch, I’m working on my laptop. A few minutes later, I find myself scrolling through the infinite food options on Ubereats. You’ve probably used one of the many ‘food-tech’ apps either to search for a restaurant, make a reservation at your favourite bar. Restaurant picked, the discount code applied & order placed! The delivery guy soon arrives. He is the human link in a technology-driven industry of convenience. He has several counterparts — those who come to fix your plumbing to the ones who bring you groceries or those who lend you their home for your trip — living the courier lifestyle.
The rise of the gig economy holds a wealth of opportunities for organizations and workers alike. Organizations want to cut costs and improve their agility to meet constantly changing consumer demands. Workers crave flexibility and control. By working together and collaborating on ways to overcome the potential risks, organizations and giggers alike can ride a rising tide that will lift all boats to economic prosperity and performance. As formal employment is only available to a few, the gig economy is transforming Kenya and the Africa for the better; it is reducing the unemployment crisis that has been a thorn around the continent.
