Freelance warriors, independent contractors, seasonal and contingent workers and the trendiest edition to the non-W2 classification - gig employees – together comprise over 30% of the current U.S. workforce. Thanks to this on-demand labor pool, employers and individuals are enjoying elevated offerings of goods and services delivered via non-employees. In addition, these workers generate zero cost for benefits, mileage reimbursement, equipment costs and office space. The drone industry has kept pace with the platform dispatch culture, employing over 68% of U.S. pilots via service-on-demand portals. This may appear to be a win, except that cost the efficiencies celebrated via this type employment structure may actually result in a bleak downside for employers, including the potential loss of upsell opportunities, dilution of organizational branding and inconsistent customer service. Or to sum up that loss in two words: employee loyalty.
On the flip side, although gigsters in the drone industry enjoy flexible work schedules, increased business opportunities and the ability to build use cases and skill sets, they don’t have access to W-2 employee benefits. Although this pilot workforce bears the expense of needed equipment, maintenance, transportation and insurance, they are often forced to accept extremely small mission fees in return. And for many employers and independent workers who connect via a digital platform or job board, an element vital to good business has been lost: direct verbal communication.
In my talk, I will address methods for incentivizing those gig-stars who provide stellar, consistent service, encouraging their loyalty, upsell referrals and valuable promotion of your brand. I will also address how independent pilots in the drone industry can maximize relationships with service partners to propel their business forward, establishing long-term projects that will land them in positive cash flow territory.