Imagine, if you will, the bleak and barren wasteland setting of a dystopian novel. Where there once were thriving commercial centers there has risen a new class of production, driven by the remaining few who have adapted to their unpredictable, and often hostile new landscape. Working from a seemingly endless number of different locales, this new class of traveler is part provider, part hunter/gatherer, and all nomad.
Art Imitates Life
A little imagery can be fun, but it’s important to recognize the meaning behind the theatrics. This futuristic, post-apocalyptic scenario may not be too far from the truth for some businesses that are experiencing a shift in how, and more importantly where, their business is conducted. Though mobile workforces have been the choice of nimble businesses to encourage satellite operations for some time now, larger corporations are even getting into the act. Insurance giant Aetna now even claims that in the small time since they’ve introduced a flexible work-from-home program, participation has skyrocketed and nearly a third of their employees are now completely remote. This groundswell of adoption from large and small companies alike has helped to create a new subset of workers that relies totally on telecommuting.
The Digital Nomad
The remote life of a working professional has often only served to provide opportunities for freelancers to earn some fast cash between travels. Now, however, with increases in home exchanges and sharing economy giants like Airbnb, traveling to and working from anywhere in the world is easier than ever and allows the nomads to hold full-time jobs if they so choose. There are also an ever-increasing list of useful technology tools that make remote work access possible, tactics on how to maintain a productive and rewarding career without ever setting foot in an office, and communities for trouble-shooting and connecting with other nomads. Be it for the practicing or aspiring nomad, the breadth and depth of the burgeoning field of permanently remote employment’s growing resources make entering into or sustaining this lifestyle more feasible.
No Overhead for Nomads
A company needn’t break their commercial lease and shutter its doors to begin benefitting from the advantage of a nomad or two on their team. Simply by considering the pool of qualified, nomadic talent the next time there is a contract or job req that needs to be filled is a fine place to start. Businesses in expensive areas needn’t justify the cost of moving a candidate halfway around the world if he can also work from where he is. Furthermore, employing tools like the free-to-download VirtualPBX Softphone App that integrates with an existing unified communications strategy saves on additional office build-out. Many Digital Nomads are also part of the BYOD community to some extent saving businesses even more, both initially and ongoing, by deviating from the traditional, in-office approach to employment.
Getting your company started for this shift is easy if you have the right information. VirtualPBX’s award-winning Customer Support Team is always available to help discuss the challenges your company might have with its communications and how we can help you to best overcome them. And more importantly, they, unlike our other nomadic coworkers, are also located right here in San Jose so you’ll never have to worry about them zip-lining through the Amazon when you need some answers.
