Robert Paterson's Weblog

Freelancing - the Dutch Experience

My friend, Ton added this to the Freelancing story - in the Netherlands, Freelancing is no longer just for the few:

Workshops like those are important for several reasons. First of all because more and more people are working as independent professionals. Second, because it seems that what makes traditional organizations work is now making them fail in a more complex environment and a world that is now much more clearly the closed resource system it already always was, rendering the eternal-growth-paradigm of our economy and monetary system simply impossible.

As to the first point, the number of independent professionals in the Netherlands started to rise sharply in 2000. This was the moment where people here were sufficiently connected via internet (>75% of companies in 2000, now ~100%) and mobile communications (>67% of people in 2000, now 115%, i.e. 19M subscriptions on 16M5 people), to be able to loosen yourself from incumbent structures and still stay in touch with the people and resources needed to do your tasks. (See this earlier posting on workplace) As a result over half of all registered businesses in the Netherlands are now in fact independent professionals (434.710 out of 797.840 in January 2008, equaling 5% of the work force.). Of those independent professionals 60% routinely work together with other independents on projects, and another 25% want to do so. The number of independent professionals has risen even more in the last three months as larger companies are getting hit by the recession.

Maybe this transition will happen more quickly. After all, with so many layoffs here in Canada and the US, many will seek to find their own way rather than look for another job.

How is it going with you? What is your freelance story?

Freelancing - A Guide to Finding Freedom

I used to think that we could reform the system from within. I have failed utterly in that. Luther tried so hard to stay within the Church. But he couldn't either. The system is so powerful that I don't think that internal reform is possible. Clayton Christenson makes the same point in the Innovator's Dilemma. The only way the new and disruptive can survive the immune response of the host, is for it to be separate from the main organization.

We also know that knowing what is best and doing it does not follow. I know I need to lose 30 pounds. But at the moment I can't. You may know you need to stop smoking - but it is so hard. This kind of deep change can only happen when we live it and when we have support from others like us. I need the support of other pudgy middle aged men to lose the weight. Smokers will push back at religious non smokers, but have a chance if supported by empathic ex smokers who know how hard this is.

So bearing these two points in mind, here is my series on Freelancing.

I offer it up as one who was the epitome of the corporate and institutional life. As one who was a Prince of the old system. All that I have learned to become what I am today, was learned in a messy and fumbling manner. The only way I could have got to where I am now is with the support of dear friends.

I offer it up also in the now certain knowledge that if enough of us can separate ourselves from the system as it is, we have a chance to build the new one along side. We might truly execute the Christenson strategy in society. We build grow the better to a size where others can join us.

I hope that you find yourself in here somewhere. Good luck

• Introducing the idea and the series
• What’s it’s like – Being truly free
• Why a job is not secure
• How to leave your job and how to market – It’s all about the relationship
• Costs – Freedom – Co Working – Sleeping at Night
• Growth – how to grow and not lose it all
• Managing yourself and your clients – how to be a grown up – it’s all about love
• Working at Home – managing your time your Spouse and Kids
• How to have Control and Adventure