Take it from Oprah…she knows all. What a moment for women claiming power and calling out abuse and disparity. Oprah’s Golden Globe speech had us weeping bittersweet tears of joy, sadness, and hope. From Hoda Kotb and Christiane Amanpour in media to Tina Smith in politics, women are replacing the men ousted from their jobs because of sexual misconduct allegations. A recent story in Time magazine highlights the way this is swift justice and should not be perceived as companies trying to save face.
“But it’s a mistake to think of this as a revolution, or even as women pulling off a bloodless coup against the patriarchy–and not just because those rarely end well. These now disgraced men are not being replaced by women as an act of revenge, but because the women are the best candidates for the job. It’s promotion of the fittest. It’s evolution.”
2018 is already starting out strong for women and we are proud to be part of the conversation and a tool to empower women through work. Keep at it ladies– this is gonna be a good year!
She’s worked for entertainment giants, MTV and HBO, and the digital customer experience leader, MCD, but today Jeri Ziegler is successfully calling her own shots. Read on to learn how she partnered with the Second Shift to establish a flexible and fulfilling career.
You transitioned from a full-time executive at an advertising agency to a full-time consultant. Tell me about that journey.
Jeri: I started my career as an in-house marketer at HBO and them moved on to MTV. After several years, I jumped over to the agency side where I focused on strategy and had the opportunity to work with a greater variety of clients. I loved what I was doing, but I made the decision to leave the corporate world during my first maternity leave. I wanted the ability to work in a more flexible way, and as a new mom, I was looking to have better control of my time.
It was a little scary, but just knowing that the Second Shift existed gave me the confidence to take the leap. Having access to a resource that could help me find work that was interesting and challenging took the hard work out of getting started and made me believe that it was possible to work this way.
What’s the benefit of working the way you currently work?
Jeri: First and foremost is the flexibility. I work full time and I still work as many hours in a week as I did before, but I do it more on my own schedule now. I enjoy getting to spend a little extra time with my kids in the morning and then putting in a few extra hours after I put them to sleep.
I also love the range of work I’m doing. I really like being exposed to different industries and challenges, as it helps me grow. With each project I take on, 95 percent of the work is stuff I know really well, and 5 percent of it is something new. It’s great to be continually learning.
In your opinion, what makes a good client?
Jeri: I’ve found that the best clients know what they want and need, but are open to working collaboratively to adjust that and develop solutions together.
What type of interesting projects have you landed via the Second Shift?
Jeri: I’ve been a member of the Second Shift for close to three years, and I’ve taken on a variety of projects during that time. I’ve served as a temporary in-house marketing resource, I’ve developed case studies and other content for clients, and I’m currently engaged in a large-scale marketing and branding initiative. The range of work has been really awesome.
What excites you most about being a member of this community?
Jeri: The Second Shift really curates opportunities. I’m excited when I get an email with a potential match from them, because I know that the work will be interesting and challenging. The Second Shift does a lot of the heavy lifting by bringing only really good opportunities forward, and I appreciate that.
What advice do you have for members just starting out?
Jeri: Be a bit patient! One month, I may not get many matches and the next I will get 20. The opportunities are there and they will come. When they do and it it’s time to pitch, which can feel intimidating at first, my advice is to just be really honest about who you are and why you are interested in the role. From there, take the time to figure out if the fit is right. And remember, it’s okay to be picky about where you will spend your time.
You have two small children and you work full time. What tips can you share on maximizing time?
Jeri: Time management isn’t something that necessarily comes easy for me, as I’m naturally a very spontaneous person. But, I have found that logging my time down to the half hour is a game changer! I come from a digital world, but I recently switched over to an analog planner where I record what I am doing or what I need to do by the half hour. I log everything in there – including the time I plan to spend with my family and the time I need to dedicate to my work. Without sounding too dramatic, this approach has been life changing! It’s allowed me to fit in a lot more and feel good about how I am spending my time—for example: I’m also writing a science fiction novel – it’s a total departure from my day-to-day reality!
Whether you are new to the Second Shift or a seasoned member of the community,Jeri shares a few key takeaways we can all benefit from:
1) Track your time: Whether you choose a digital or analog approach, plan your time down to the half hour. “It’s a game changer!”
2) Be yourself: When it comes to pitching, “be honest about who you are and why you are interested in the role” and let things evolve from there.
3) Don’t be afraid to be picky: You only have so much time to devote to your business, so choose your engagements wisely. “It’s the luxury of working this way!”
Do you know any all-star professional women like Jeri who should join The Second Shift expert network? Send them our way!
Our Co-Founder Gina published a new story on Thrive Global about how shutting off her computer on the weekends is her work/life balance hack. What’s your life hack? Read it here: https://www.thriveglobal.com/stories/15235-shut-it-down
Feminism is the Merriam-Webster 2017 word of the year! Defined as“ the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes" and “organized activities on behalf of women’s rights and interests,” it saw a 70% spike in online searched in the past year. What a time to be alive! #makeworkworkforyou #thesecondshift
Calling all NY based women with a business idea!! A group of female VC investors are offering to help women entrepreneurs with advice, guidance, and support. Check it out! https://www.femalefounder.org/
On Jan 9th you can sign up for a 1:1 with an investor from a top VC firm to talk shop. Why? Because New York is home to more companies with a female founder than any other city, and our funding numbers look better, too. 17% of NYC Series A rounds in 2016 had a female founder.
The Broadsheet is an amazing newsletter that highlights the most topical issues related to women in a daily email. It’s a must-read for the most up-to-date issues about women in the workplace, politics, and entertainment. Today the lead story is about the nature of sexual harassment in the workforce as it relates to power dynamics and focuses two opinion pieces from Sheryl Sandberg and Sallie Krawcheck. Here’s the gist:
“Both women are advocating for the same solution to the on-going sexual harassment epidemic: get more women in power.That, of course, is much easier said than done. The gender gap at the top of corporate America—just 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs are female—is the result of a confluence of sociocultural factors (women as primary caretakers, implicit biases against women leaders, lack of paid family leave, absence of role models, etc.) And yet, while it’s unlikely that we’ll solve all of those in the next decade, it is heartening to know that the few women who are at the top are pushing to get more of us up there with them.“
The Second Shift agrees–that’s why we created the company! We are an actionable solution to keep more women in the workplace. Creating the opportunity is our main focus– getting our members job to keep them going during times that they need to step away from the climb. We are happy to work with companies like Microsoft to make the goal of cracking that 5% a reality. Talk is talk– providing jobs for women is an incredibly important way to walk the walk.
The Majority of the Workforce will be Freelancers in Just Ten Years
A New Study by Upwork and the Freelancers Union Provides a Lens into the Future of Work
Last month, a new study on the future of work by Upwork and the Freelancers Union looked at the growing number of freelancers to see how the gig-economy is growing. The study revealed some interesting statistics about the freelance workforce; we took a deep dive into the results:
· 57.3M people freelance.
· Only 10% of freelance workers like the name gig-economy – they prefer freelance economy—(we agree!)
· 63% of freelancers think having several sources of income and multiple clients more secure than one – the average freelancer has 4.5 clients a month.
Here’s the who, what, where, when, why and how of the freelance economy:
Who is the driving force behind this rapid change?
“Almost half of working millennials (47%) freelance.” As a result, the common negative perception of freelance as a primary earnings method shifted, with 67% of people agreeing that it’s a stable form of work.
What is likely to keep the freelance economy going?
“Freelancers are more realistic about artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact than non-freelancers.” As a result, they are more likely to seek the training they need to continue to compete in a technologically changing workplace – “65% of full-time freelancers are updating their skills to ensure that they are marketable as the job market evolves.”
Where are freelancers earning their living?
The majority of the freelance economy isn’t moonlighting; 29% work full-time, 53% work part-time, and only 16% work occasionally for extra income in addition to another traditional job. “Most freelancers started within the last three years,” and freelancers are increasingly choosing to join the freelance economy by choice, which is indicative of a move to towards more creative outlets to earn a living, often not requiring formal education. Freelancers are finding their work through friends and family, professional contacts and social media – personal connections are more powerful then technological ones—(something we hope we are solving!)
When are freelancers working?
“Most freelance weekly: freelancers indicate, on average, having 27 different clients within their last six months of work,” and 52% of freelancers will work for the same clients repeatedly on different projects with most full-time freelancers working 36 hours per week. Among workers who find their projects online, 77% start their projects within a week – 21% start the same day.
Why is freelancing the wave of the future?
“54% of the entire U.S. workforce is not very confident that the work they do today is likely to exist in 20 years,” and both traditional and freelance workers agree. The study goes on to differentiate that freelancers are more aware of how their work is changing due to increased AI and robotics used in the workplace. Ultimately, the data reveals that the changing nature of the freelance workforce makes them more adaptable and is why they are likely to outnumber traditional workers in ten years time. Perhaps more importantly, 77% of workers believe that these same technological improvements are making it easier for them to find freelance work.
How will this impact our economy?
The numbers don’t lie, the freelance economy is good for the U.S.; “freelancers contribute approximately $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy annually – an increase of almost 30% since last year.” Part of the economic boost comes from freelancer’s preference to purchase their own benefits in the marketplace; 67% agree that “a healthy freelance economy boosts America’s middle class.” A current practice they’re likely to be able to continue because 72% of freelancers are willing to vote across party lines for candidates that support the freelance economy. They’ll be able to have a tangible financial impact on elections as well because 36% earn $75,000 or more – double the percentage that did from 2014. Further to, 66% say they earn more in the freelance economy then they did in a traditional workplace; 75% of them earned more in just their first year, with 37% earning more immediately.
One last interesting fact: “Freelancers skew more male than U.S. workers overall.” Ladies, given all the benefits the freelance economy brings, let’s get out there!
The data proves The Second Shift model and our members know that the findings of the study are true. We are the vanguard of the future of work– so let’s get more women to join us! Refer 5 new members and you will get a surprise thank you from us!
The Majority of the Workforce will be Freelancers in Just Ten Years
A New Study by Upwork and the Freelancers Union Provides a Lens into the Future of Work
Last month, a new study on the future of work by Upwork and the Freelancers Union looked at the growing number of freelancers to see how the gig-economy is growing. The study revealed some interesting statistics about the freelance workforce; we took a deep dive into the results:
· 57.3M people freelance.
· Only 10% of freelance workers like the name gig-economy – they prefer freelance economy—(we agree!)
· 63% of freelancers think having several sources of income and multiple clients more secure than one – the average freelancer has 4.5 clients a month.
Here’s the who, what, where, when, why and how of the freelance economy:
Who is the driving force behind this rapid change?
“Almost half of working millennials (47%) freelance.” As a result, the common negative perception of freelance as a primary earnings method shifted, with 67% of people agreeing that it’s a stable form of work.
What is likely to keep the freelance economy going?
“Freelancers are more realistic about artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact than non-freelancers.” As a result, they are more likely to seek the training they need to continue to compete in a technologically changing workplace – “65% of full-time freelancers are updating their skills to ensure that they are marketable as the job market evolves.”
Where are freelancers earning their living?
The majority of the freelance economy isn’t moonlighting; 29% work full-time, 53% work part-time, and only 16% work occasionally for extra income in addition to another traditional job. “Most freelancers started within the last three years,” and freelancers are increasingly choosing to join the freelance economy by choice, which is indicative of a move to towards more creative outlets to earn a living, often not requiring formal education. Freelancers are finding their work through friends and family, professional contacts and social media – personal connections are more powerful then technological ones—(something we hope we are solving!)
When are freelancers working?
“Most freelance weekly: freelancers indicate, on average, having 27 different clients within their last six months of work,” and 52% of freelancers will work for the same clients repeatedly on different projects with most full-time freelancers working 36 hours per week. Among workers who find their projects online, 77% start their projects within a week – 21% start the same day.
Why is freelancing the wave of the future?
“54% of the entire U.S. workforce is not very confident that the work they do today is likely to exist in 20 years,” and both traditional and freelance workers agree. The study goes on to differentiate that freelancers are more aware of how their work is changing due to increased AI and robotics used in the workplace. Ultimately, the data reveals that the changing nature of the freelance workforce makes them more adaptable and is why they are likely to outnumber traditional workers in ten years time. Perhaps more importantly, 77% of workers believe that these same technological improvements are making it easier for them to find freelance work.
How will this impact our economy?
The numbers don’t lie, the freelance economy is good for the U.S.; “freelancers contribute approximately $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy annually – an increase of almost 30% since last year.” Part of the economic boost comes from freelancer’s preference to purchase their own benefits in the marketplace; 67% agree that “a healthy freelance economy boosts America’s middle class.” A current practice they’re likely to be able to continue because 72% of freelancers are willing to vote across party lines for candidates that support the freelance economy. They’ll be able to have a tangible financial impact on elections as well because 36% earn $75,000 or more – double the percentage that did from 2014. Further to, 66% say they earn more in the freelance economy then they did in a traditional workplace; 75% of them earned more in just their first year, with 37% earning more immediately.
One last interesting fact: “Freelancers skew more male than U.S. workers overall.” Ladies, given all the benefits the freelance economy brings, let’s get out there!
The data proves The Second Shift model and our members know that the findings of the study are true. We are the vanguard of the future of work– so let’s get more women to join us! Refer 5 new members and you will get a surprise thank you from us!
Last Thursday night a group of powerhouse women gathered at the home of Linnea Roberts to learn about The Second Shift. At Linnea’s art-filled home in Silicon Valley Gina and I presented our business to local female leaders in finance and technology. At the end of the our talk we pointed to note cards and pens laid out on the table and asked each woman to write down the name of one person that they could introduce us to—whether a future member or a contact at a company that could provide jobs for our members. That was our “ask;” gathering the women in the room was the first step, getting them to activate their own networks on our behalf was an invaluable next level of connections.
“I am often struck by the number of women who are afraid to ask for what they want and then qualify by saying “I hate to ask” —it really is okay and my pleasure to help,” says Linnea, a former MD and current diversity advisor at Goldman Sachs. She is an advocate for professional women and an investor in female start-ups, including The Second Shift. She is often asked for favors (like throwing a dinner for her friends and colleagues on our behalf–thank you Linnea) and strongly believes it the power of helping others in any way possible.
Gina and I are frequently asked for an introduction or to give someone advice and we do the same to others—that is the nature of business. However, meeting for a drink or a coffee without a clearly outlined goal attached is a waste of time for both parties. This was the topic of a panel on networking at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Under 45 conference that I recently attended. Here are a few takeaways from the panel:
· Get to the point—don’t waste time with small talk and then save “the ask” for the last 5 minutes.
· Follow up—if you asked for a favor make sure you update the person who helped you and thank them.
· Take charge—If someone connects you to another person don’t wait to reach out–take the reins and start the conversation.
· Be specific—come armed with exactly what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Both Linnea and the women on the Fortune panel are clear on the point of setting yourself up for success by knowing exactly what you need and being armed with goals attached to your ask. Linnea says, “be as specific as possible. Make it easy for me to follow through for you. Don’t lay all of your problems at my feet and expect me to solve them. Rather, have a few actionable things in mind that would genuinely help and are within the reality of what I can do for you.”
Finally, if you don’t ask, you don’t get—so don’t be afraid to ask! Too often women are worried about being perceived as pushy or inappropriate, but that’s all in the way that you set up THE ASK. Good rules to follow are: be polite and grateful, follow up and if you are uncomfortable, get over it! Just remember that people want to be of assistance and asking for something concrete helps them to help you. What’s the worst that happens, they say no?
