A Modern Era of the Outsourced Workforce – The Rise of the Nordic Freelancer

With the unemployment rates as low as they are, it’s obvious that the traditional workforce approach is still favored in the Nordic regions. That being said, the evolution that is allowing up to a third of Americans to work from a remote site is fast becoming the new norm across the globe.

By Jenny Holt

The rise of the freelancer is not something that is well-documented in the Nordic regions as yet, but it is worth keeping an eye on. The freelancer is no longer a novelty or even considered glamorous as they hunt for the best coffee shops with strong WiFi.

With the economic decline of 2008, many cities across the world experienced a mass exodus of talent as jobs became thinner and employers became leaner. The working professional needed to adapt and with the less-than-satisfactory job security levels, many professionals decided it was time to focus on other aspects in their lives. The typical 9-to-5 workday was no longer an option as the internet became the biggest workplace. The internet also never sleeps, which means that this new breed of workforce set their own diaries to accommodate their newfound client base. It’s not uncommon for freelancers to have clients scattered all over the world.

Accommodating traveling desk jockeys

The life of a freelancer is more messy and chaotic. It is also filled with distractions and a home-based operation starts off well, but there is nowhere for a freelancer to “escape” to after a long day of work. The need for a separate working space often starts off in coffee shops, however, the Nordic coffee culture often leave freelancers feeling that working in a coffee is akin to sacrilege. With a decline in suitable workspaces and an increase in freelance presence in the Nordic cities, share spaces and coworking spaces were born.

Finland has one of the best infrastructures for freelancers and Norway is hot on its tail. The Nordic region is adapting to the need for suitable work arrangements for those who don’t have a fixed site. Coworking spaces provide freelancers with a desk for a period of time. Often, coworking spaces also provide secure internet connections and may even throw in a complimentary meal and bottomless coffee. The area and facilities will determine the price, and many also have a boardroom to rent for presentations.