Came across an article on Business World via the Irish Business and Professional Network on LinkedIn. It talks about Confidence in Action a new initiative - a series of FREE seminars aiming to help companies and individuals navigate their way around this recession. So far events have been organised for Dublin, Cork and Limerick starting in September. They've assembled a very impressive line up of speakers ranging from economists,entrepreneurs and media hacks. It's a morning til night affair starting with breakfast at 9 and ending with networking from 6-7. All seminars are free but you have to register, you also have to register for each seminar individually. My registration submission returned an error but I think it's worth trying again. Maybe see you there.

Labels: Flexitimers, Recession, Redundancy, self-employed, small business

Flexitimers are attending the IIA Congress tomorrow in Dublin. There's an excellent line-up of speakers including representatives from Realex Payments, dotMobi, Google and Facebook.

I'm also involved in one of the break-out sessions where, along with my colleagues from the IIA Social Media Working Group, we'll be running a workshop entitled 'Establishing a Social Media Strategy in 45 mins' so if you're looking for a hands-on whistle stop tour of blogging, tweeting and general social networking well this is the 45 minutes for you. Hope to see you there.

Labels: Flexitimers, IIA SMWG, Out and About, social media, social networking

The following interview with Joy Redmond Marketing & Operations Director of Flexitimers kindly syndicated from JobsBlog.ie

About Flexitimers
Flexitimers is a self-service project board enabling companies to connect with consultants, freelancers, small businesses, contractors and specialists/experts for professional project work in Ireland.

The site is completely free for both professionals and companies to use. Flexitimers is a closed network; employers or other professionals cannot search through profiles. Profiles are only viewable to employers whose project matches your profile.

Ivan: New Flexitimers site is launched, the media love it, and the response has been very positive. How happy are you with the media coverage?
Well obviously we're very pleased and I think the reason is because Flexitimers is a good news story during recession overload. Everyday we are hearing and reading about the recession, job losses, redundancy and market uncertainty. Flexitimers is good news for a few reasons. Firstly, we have hit on a previously untapped sector with the recruitment industry in Ireland being a mix of web2.0 and project work which is very new and hugely necessary. Secondly, project and indeed flexible work tended to be quite siloed for example IT and design sectors largely but our intention was to offer flexibility to a broader occupational base. Traditionally I suppose IT and design were easy outsource targets because the output was so tangible but there is no reason why any company cannot outsource less tangible operations/functions such as PR, sales and marketing, admin, legal and financial roles. It all goes back to people skills and effective management and just because someone is sitting in your office 40 hours per week doesn't always translate into an optimal solution. Thirdly, we practice what we preach: I live in Wexford and co-founder Dervla Cunningham is based in Dublin and we have managed to research, develop and launch a business by working remotely.

Ivan: The Recruitment industry in Ireland is changing. What role will Flexitimers play in the future?
Of course the recruitment industry is changing because it had to, it is a bit like the construction or property sector during the boom which was synonymous with over-charging and under-delivering. Today, no company can afford to pay for mediocrity whether that is in suppliers, staff or services.
To get back to recruitment, we believe the employment model is changing and the focus will be less on hiring full time permanent staff but will be more project driven. It is a win-win situation for employers because they get to pick and choose the best people for each task and manage their overheads more effectively.
Flexitimers' role is to provide companies with access to a pool of skilled and experienced professionals who are actively seeking project work. Traditionally companies tend to find project workers through their own networks but this is random and unfortunately the best people aren't necessarily within your reach. On Flexitimers you can hire beyond your network and not compromise on quality or caliber. I suppose, Flexitimers confounds false economy and mediocrity.

Ivan: The way we live and the way we work is not the same. Flexitimers seems to be accommodating this and applying it to recruitment?
Absolutely, as the line goes 'nobody ever said on their deathbed, I should have spent more time in the office.' But there is one key point I want to make here: just because you want to work flexibly doesn't mean you have to compromise your career. Take part-time work for example, typically available only in retail, catering and administrative jobs. Like I said earlier, Flexitimers is broadening that occupational base. How? We provide professionals with access to flexible positions i.e. contract, temporary, freelance, consulting and telework across a variety of roles so we're there to help anyone who has just been made redundant to earn income while they're in between jobs. Furthermore, more and more of these interim project workers who join the site for interim or stopgap work find it works better for them so now not only have they flexibility but also they're expanding their profile, career and portfolio.

Ivan: Flexitimers - what is the next step? What is the plan for the future?
I could tell you but I'd have to shoot you afterwards! Only joking, big plans and plenty of exciting developments. I suppose the biggest news at the moment is that our service is FREE to use which again reflects the dramatic changes in the recruitment industry. We'll of course want to build our brand and awareness over the coming months. In the background we are working on expansion plans both in terms of functionality and geography. I speak French, Spanish and basic Dutch so who knows, maybe I will be teleworking from a sunnier climate!

About Joy Redmond, co-founder of Flexitimers
Joy Redmond started her career in 1996 as Marketing Director of Newmedia, one of Ireland's first web design companies. She remained agency side working with Zartis.com and Campaign HTDS before moving client side to become online marketing manager of IngredientsNet.com (a joint venture between Fyffes and Glanbia). Before setting up Flexitimers with Dervla Cunningham, Joy was a lecturer in E-business, research and marketing in the Dublin Institute of Technology and was Course Director of the Masters in Business & Entrepreneurship. Joy also is a busy project worker doing consultant marketing and research for many blue chip companies in Ireland such as Bank of Ireland, eircom, NTL, Poster Plan and JCDecaux. She is a mentor on the Wexford County Enterprise Board and a member of the Irish Internet Association Social Media Working Group.

Joy: Thanks Ivan, a pleasure doing this interview, keep up the good work.

Labels: Flexitimers, Media Coverage, online recruitment, Recession

To compliment the launch of the 'Thinking outside the (Lunch)box' movie, Flexitimers are running a competition to win a Flip video camcorder.

HOW TO ENTER
DATES: Starts 15th May, Ends Midnight 31st July 2009

HOW TO SUBMIT
Submit your video as a video response to 'Working Lunch' video as follows:
1. Go to our competition page and read the terms and conditions
2. Create a video of no more than 3-minutes in length (including opening and closing credits, if any) using 'business jargon' as the theme. Penalties will apply for over-long videos.
3.Sign in to your YouTube account (you must have a YouTube account to submit videos)
4. Upload your Business jargon video(s) to YouTube.
5. Go to the FlexitimersTV Channel on YouTube and click on 'Post a Video Response'
7. Choose your entry from the drop down list of videos in your account
8. Click on 'Respond with this video'. Once the entry has been posted on YouTube, Entrants must also submit the video title, YouTube Embed Code, and your name via email to video@flexitimers.com with the Subject of your email as 'Business jargon video'.

Labels: competition, Flexitimers, social media

The wait is now over, the Flexitimers' 'Thinking Outside the Lunchbox' movie is now live. This video was produced thanks to Enterprise Ireland innovation vouchers in conjunction with Institute of Art & Design Dun Laoghaire and Glimpse Digital.



Credits:
The concept of this movie was developed by Dervla Cunningham and Joy Redmond of Flexitimers with Ger Fox from IADT and Andy Clarke from Glimpse Digital. Inspiration came from RTE The Business presenter/writer John Murray's book 'Now that's what I can jargon.'
Actors: Amy Redmond, Stephen Rooney and Shane Nestor. Script by Alan Kinsella.

Labels: Flexitimers, social media

We've been busy and made huge improvements to your Profile Page on Flexitimers. You can now upload a lot more information about yourself for employers to see. For example you can now

1. Upload a photo / image
2. Add a link to your website/blog
3. Upload your CV / Company Profile / Brief 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. Your Profile will not be matched to projects unless you have completed the 'Types of Projects' and 'Work I've done' sections.

Labels: Flexitimers, FlexiTips

Yes indeed. The market has changed so Flexitimers has moved with the market to reflect the decline in jobs and growth of portfolio and project work.

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.

WHAT IF MY CATEGORY HAS BEEN REMOVED?
If your category has been removed, you can still be listed under other categories such as Business/Consulting Services using your 'MiniBio' to highlight your expertise. Remember, your skills are not just in your discipline.

WHEN? This weekend so log on and improve your profile and double check you're listed according to your skill set.

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. We believe the focus will be on Income rather jobs, because realistically those full time permanent positions are in short supplya and today more than ever we need to think and work outside the box to keep a career alive, so start buidling that portfolio career as it may be the only option for the short term.

Labels: flexible work, Flexitimers, jobs, Media Coverage, part-time work, smart work, work life balance

Got this really nice mail from one of our professionals tonight don't worry we asked her permission to republish.

I just wanted to say a big thank you! It's hard enough finding a non-full time, flexible position in IT in the best of times, let alone in a recession. So I was delighted that you sent me an opportunity which has now resulted in a job offer (from KRO IT in Galway). Perhaps the recession is encouraging people to think laterally, and get professional, experienced people, but not full time. Yours is a terrific resource and I will spread the word!

Well Caroline, we wish you the very best of luck and we're always happy to hear and publish Flexitimers success stories. Thanks and congratulations on the new job.

Labels: contracting, flexible work, Flexitimers, jobs, Recession

Flexitimers are attending a half-day seminar today for managers/professionals impacted by recent down-sizing and redundancies and impending career challenges in 2009. The Starting Today seminar was organised by Joan Mulvihill, who was recently made redundant from a senior management position at BDO Simpson Xavier. Joan hopes this seminar will answer two types of questions facing people in a similar position - the macro life-affirming stuff and the nitty gritty details of moving forward. There's an impressive line up of speakers, networking opportunities and tips for anyone. Worth a visit and I'll update you on any tips and tricks I gleam from it. Well done Joan Mulvihill.

Labels: Flexitimers, Out and About, Redundancy

Best of luck to all the team who are taking part in the Big Ocean Row, which is the name given to Ryan Corcoran and Robert Byrne's participation in a world record attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean in 33 days or less. You can follow their progress on the Big Ocean Row website. Thinking of you guys. All the best.

Labels: Flexitimers

Flexitimers attended the Big Debate in City Hall last Wednesday and were fortunate to put a question to the panel. The panel, which was chaired by by respected broadcaster John Bowman, consisted of Jay Bourke (Cafe Bar Deli), Martin Murray (Interactive Return), Brian Carey (Sunday Times), Marc Coleman (Newstalk), Mark Fielding from ISME, Damian Young Head of Small Business, Bank of Ireland, Paula Fitzsimons, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor author and Pat Lynch, Chairperson of Dublin City Enterprise Board.

Q: Did the panel think that companies (under pressure to cut headcount) were more likely to outsource activities or use part-time, freelance and contract staff in order to remain competitive during these challenging times?

Summary: there was unanimous agreement that companies must outsource and use flexible staff to stay in business.

Quotes:
Marc Coleman - 'there is no doubt, no option that companies will have to outsource / use agency staff'

Pat Lynch 'your largest overheads walk in to your company on two feet....businesses must control these costs', 'It (outsourcing and using flexible staff) is a good business strategy'

Jay Bourke - If you're not letting people go, you'll go out of business, outsource right away'

Brian Carey 'It's a growing trend in Irish businesses'

This is good news for Flexitimers and particularly good news for freelancers, part timers and contractors out there who can now rest assured that more interesting projects and positions will be coming down the pipeline. Flexitimers offers part timers, freelancers and contractors access to skilled part time, contract and freelance positions and projects.

Labels: contracting, flexible work, Flexitimers, jobs, smart work, work

Back to work this week after been off for mid-term but quick round up of our media exposure in past two weeks.
The Sunday Business Post ran and article about us on Sunday 26th October singing our praises for the massive take up of candidates joining the site since our launch 4 weeks ago so thanks a million for that. Then Business & Finance magazine earmarked us as 'One to Watch' the same week. Women Mean Business magazine are supposed to be profiling us in the current issue but I can't confirm that until I buy a copy tomorrow when I'm in Dublin as it's not in stock down here in the South East.
So happy enough with that coverage and we're seeing the results in our traffic stats. Cheers.

Labels: Flexitimers, Media Coverage

Just back from Wexford town where I attended and spoke at an event on social media (blogging, podcasting, social networking) hosted by Wexford County Enterprise Board and the Irish Internet Association. It featured a really good line up of speakers (of course I would say that) starting with an edu-taining piece from Philip Macartney, Head of Sales Ireland for Bebo, then a very funky presentation from Donald Douglas from Return2Sender showcasing all his highly creative mobile media campaigns. After the coffee break (my mint tea), Brain Greene of Doop treated us to history lesson on radio and IT and its convergence today to blog radio, podcasting and general audio recording as a tool for business. Then I spoke about Flexitimers' activities in the social media space and hopefully I imparted some titbits of knowledge for small businesses out there to get out and start their own conversations, communicate and engage with their customers, clients, staff and any other interested parties.
I met some very nice people - yes it is nice to log off every now and again and actually meet people face-to-face. Then had tea in the bar later with my two college buddies Chris and Ed - we all met on the SEEPP programme in WIT this time last year. Also met a few people from the home town including Dave (office neighbour) from Cada Media who was kind enough to email the photos below so thanks a million for that. Overall I had a good day and I hope the delegates did too. Feel free to comment below and they won't be moderated!

Labels: Flexitimers, small business, social media, social networking, web2.o, wexford web

Just reading David Behan's post The Internet is Good for a Recession and he made some excellent points about the effect the recession will have on the Internet for consumers, business and the web industry itself. I added a comment saying I feel the recession is a good time for freelancers and contractors as companies will opt for a lower risk outsource rather than hire someone full time which is always good news for us. A friend of mine who manages a geo-engineering company was looking for a full time marketing manager to increase their visibility and I told him to hire a good designer and copywriter to revamp collateral (freelance gig), a business consultant/mentor to help with strategy (freelance gig), a journo / PR person to write and more importantly distribute press releases (contract gig) and a smart administrator to work maybe 8-10 hours per week to manage all of the above. I reckon he'd get a lot more done in a fraction of the time and a fraction of the cost. This is the message we have to send out there - work still needs to be done, it definitely needs to be professional but it can be compartmentalised and be done so much better by the right people with the right skill sets. Hooray for Flexitimers.

Labels: Flexitimers, Recession

There was a feature in today's Irish Times about Flexitimers saying how we're a new recruitment website catering for flexible working. The article talks about the demand for more work flexibility by several of our target markets - working parents, retired professionals and freelance and contract staff. It also talks highlights the benefits to employers in providing flexible work arrangements as a means of retaining staff but more importantly as a solution to companies' staffing requirements in these uncertain economic times. Feel free to join the conversation.

Labels: Flexitimers, Media Coverage

Probably, most definitely Yes.
In fact every single professional today can/should/will use Flexitimers. If you're already a contractor/freelancer and are always on the look-out for new projects, you can upload your credentials and spend more time working and less time looking for work. Or you could be a working parent who simply can't do the 60 hour week, a retired professional looking to provide mentoring/consultancy services, a full time permanent employee looking for a few occasional projects to supplement the primary income. Or you could be at home full time but are looking for something home-based on times and terms that suit your schedule. Or you could simply want to work smarter and redesign your work timetable to have more time for your photography, surfing, travel - whatever your passion. And the lines are blurring, many of us are employees, employers, freelancers all at the same time - career hyphenation as it's called. So why not give it a try. It really could suit you.
All the best
Joy

Labels: flexible work, Flexitimers, self-employed