Small Business and the Future of Work
Our 2013 research continues to be focused on the future of work and the workplace, and what it means for small, micro and personal businesses. This is a broad area and we will be conducting research deep dives on key future of work trends. Our deep dives will include:
1. The Independent Worker: We are conducting a range of research activities on independent workers (freelancers, consultants, temps, etc.) in 2013. We are again partnering with MBO Partners on the 3rd annual State of Independence study. The 2012 study is available here.
We're also diving deeper on the role online talent marketplaces are playing, looking at how corporations large and small are using contingent workers and conducting a series of workshops and focus groups on the growing role independent workers are playing in our economy.
2. Big Data: The rise of Big Data is fundamentally changing how industries are structured and work is done. 2013 will see us continue to build on work of 2011 and 2012 exploring how Big Data will impact small business and consumers in the coming years. Click here for a copy of our New Data Democracy report, which was developed in partnership with Intuit and released in December of 2012.
3. Coworking: We are continuing our c0w0rking research in 2013 with a focus on coworking business models and how coworking is evolving.
4. Food Trucks: We're continuing our study of the economic impact of food trucks on local communities. We'll also be looking at how food trucks use social media and other technologies. Click here for a copy of our 2012 Food Trucks Motor Into the Mainstream report.
5. New Localism: Social, demographic and technology trends are driving a rediscovery of local communities and all things local. We will continue examining how the new localism trend is impacting where and how we work.
6. Small and Artisan Manufacturing: We will continue our ongoing research on small and artisan manufacturing examining how new technologies, business models and marketing methods are impacting this sector.
