Flexitimers are speaking at the Goose Forum tonight about the trials and tribulations of outsourcing - the why, how and where. According to James Kennedy, the event organiser, the audience will be made of a small gathering of people interested or embarking on web ventures so I'll be there to talk about three things:
Starting up a web business in Ireland - help and tips
Outsourcing as a viable means of getting the job done and
Flexitimers as one of the platforms out there to connect companies to a pool of skilled and experienced freelancers, contractors and consultants.
The event takes place in the Maldron Hotel, Cardiff Lane at 6.30. More information available here.

Labels: Flexible Recruitment, Flexitimers, Out and About, Smart Work

Flexitimers has also improved the profiling on the site - You can now learn more about the professionals you want to connect with. For example, professionals can now upload a photo / image, add a link to their website/blog and upload their CV / Portfolio.


Changes you should note:

1. Users will now login using a username. You can still log in using your email address and then create a username by clicking on 'Edit My Details' in My Account.
2. All email addresses must be verified. You will be sent a verification code.
3. You can now upload a logo or image.
4. You can now attach a project spec/brief which be downloadable

Labels: Flexitimers, FlexiTips

WHY?
Because these skills lend themselves to freelance and project work and can typically be outsourced.

HOW?
Many of the categories have changed and some have been removed to focus on the business skills in demand namely Sales and Marketing, IT and Multimedia Design, Consultancy, Training Financial, Legal and Admin services to start-up and established businesses.

WHEN?
This weekend so log on and update your company profile.

Labels: Flexitimers, FlexiTips

Flexitimers featured in an article in the Sunday Times yesterday about the growing trend towards portfolio careers i.e. people working on several projects at the same time rather than a full time position with just one company. And the trend is growing hence the new term 'giganomics' where 'professionals rely on series of 'gigs' to make a living'. The concept is not brand new as management guru Charles Handy wrote about this almost 20 years ago. In fact, one of his books The Elephant and the Flea, was a huge inspiration to us when setting up Flexitimers. Anyway, with the rapidity of recent market changes and subsequent job losses, we're going to be hearing a lot more about portfolio workers. The

Labels: Flexitimers, Media Coverage, Recession, Smart Work

Just back from the launch of "Join the Conversation: The Guide to Business Blogging" hosted by the IIA and their Social Media Working Group, which is now available for download.
Great turn out and excellent presentations from Aedan Ryan, Director of Puddleducks.ie and Michelle Daly of Paddy Power Trader.
Brendan Hughes, eCommerce manager with FBD.ie and chair of the working group spoke about the need for businesses to start getting involved in social media, "We called this guide "Join the
Conversation" because many companies may not even be aware that their customers are already
talking about them online. Once upon a time your customers' criticisms may not have spread beyond family and friends, but with the arrival of social media, the audience and reach has multiplied. These online conversations, good and bad, are happening. We're encouraging businesses to join in so they can get involved in the conversations about themselves."
You can view a video round-up of the event which was produced by Villa81.
So if you're looking for inspiration, reason or know-how on how to get started in the blogosphere, this is the guide for you.

Labels: Blogging, IIA SMWG, Out and About, Social Media

As a member of the IIA Social Media Working Group, I'm delighted to tell you about a breakfast briefing we're hosting this Wednesday in Dublin City Centre which will present the business applications of blogging. So if you've recently asked yourself the following questions:
Should I start a company blog?
Should my communications team engage with bloggers?
Is it time to get on Twitter?
Well then, these are some of the questions that the IIA's Social Media Working Group will address at this event.
An overview of blogs and micro-blogging (e.g. Twitter) will be given. Case studies will be presented of how Irish businesses are using these tools to achieve real business benefits and cost savings. The critical issue of measuring return on investment will also be addressed and time will be allowed for addressing questions and concerns from the attendees.

Event Date : 22 Apr 2009

Time : 7.45am - 9.30am

Labels: Blogging, IIA SMWG, Social Media