Welcome to the free world

Saturday, May 01, 2010


Everybody says there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Yet we are living in an increasingly free world. These days we take free phones and free newspapers for granted. We expect not to have to pay for operating systems, software or internet connections. I’m told we can expect photocopying, flights and even cars to come to us all – without charge – very soon.

Just look at Linux if you need to be convinced of the changing world we live in: people all over the world are actively contributing to the value of a product they don’t own and an organisation that they don’t work for – for nothing! Why? Is it simply because investing expertise for free raises an individual’s profile? Provides a problem to enjoy? Enhances self-esteem? Or, is there more global significance to these apparently selfless acts of donation?

I find myself wondering if this is not just a vaguely interesting promotional mechanism but the start of a major shift in world economics? Just as companies appear to be indulging in a massive product ‘giveaway’, are we about to see individuals giving away their expertise – and employment – for rewards other than base salary? And I ask myself what effect this movement will have on the employment market as it stands...

Questions not answers

You'll notice by this point that there are a whole lot of questions in this article, and not a lot of conclusions. That’s because I’m not sure there are answers yet, and if there are, I certainly don’t have them. So I’m throwing the premise of the ‘free world’ open to debate.

I ask you:

  • What is your experience of the ‘free world’? Can you see how it is manifested in the job market?
  • How will organisations engage with individuals in the ‘free world’? Will traditional employer/employee, buyer/seller, commercial enterprise/charity relationships change forever?
  • Why do you think individuals are prepared to contribute product value to something they don’t own? What is the payback?

A growing trend

In recent years we have seen workplaces becoming more and more flexible: telecommuting is on the up, with trends forecasting that 100 million workers will telecommute worldwide by 2015, and decent office space comes at an increasing premium. Our conception of the workplace has shifted as has the notion of a ‘job for life’. Is the traditional ‘contract of work’ set to undergo a similar revolution? Is the day coming when we will all be ‘free’?


Please, send in your views on 'the free world'. Just call or e-mail Trevor Meadows now on 01647 221360 or at trevor@meadowsconsulting.com. We'll post as many of your comments on the website as possible.

keep up

Want to stay informed on recruitment news, views and the IT job market? Simply enter your email address here:

what our clients say...

"I value the fact that Trevor is straight. And his insights and feedback on the market are very good."
Stuart Mair, Cognite
Meadows has recently renewed an exclusive contract to act as Master Vendor for all IT recruitment at IPC Media, where a close relationship with the IT Director has fostered smart recruitment.
Meadows is responsible for IT recruitment at Macmillan, where he incorporates a high level of challenge with a fresh external perspective to help build a high performing IT team: from senior management to technical staff.
Meadows is responsible for IT recruitment in the UK for Heinz: working closely with the management team to ensure the right level of skill and cultural fit across the organisation.
Meadows has recently recruited several Business Analysts for Penguin Books.
Meadows has recently placed an IT services manager into Ford Retail: a position that had previously proved difficult to fill.
Meadows is helping the geographically dispersed global IT group at Sara Lee to become a high performing team.
Meadows has recently provided sales training for this ad media agency: the leading supplier of mapping and information to councils, police forces and tourist organisations nationwide.