Episodes
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"The companies that keep waiting for the perfect hire will lose to the companies that know how to build flexible teams."
In this episode, we discussed how forward-thinking companies move beyond treating freelancers as gap-fillers and instead build a flexible workforce strategy that combines employees, contractors, freelancers, and AI, in particular:
👉 How to build a flexible workforce without creating chaos.
👉 How freelance benches eliminate hiring friction before projects even begin.
👉 What AI should (and shouldn't) do in freelancer hiring.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Maari Casey, the founder and CEO of Uncompany, a business she's been building for more than 15 years to help companies work smarter with independent talent, and who wants everyone around her to succeed.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Maari and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maaricasey/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Maari Casey
(02:33) From Agency to Freelance
(04:42) Building a Better System
(06:41) A Decade of Change
(10:07) AI Matching for Talent
(12:29) Human Role in Hiring
(16:08) Earning Trust with Clients
(20:29) Freelancer Red Flags
(22:42) Justifying Freelancer Rates
(25:29) Freelancers Protect Teams
(27:40) Beyond Gap Fillers
(29:57) Freelance Bench Concept
(31:53) Proactive Onboarding Wins
(34:49) Blended Workforce Strategy
(36:16) Power Shift To Talent
(39:20) Advice For Both Sides
(43:05) Scaling With Subcontractors
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Start by understanding what freelancers can actually do for you.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies and freelancers can build better working relationships by treating freelance collaboration as a serious business partnership, not a backup option or a cheap shortcut, in particular:
👉 Why companies still struggle to trust freelancers, even when the same risks exist with full-time employees.
👉 Where companies usually find exceptional freelance talent, and why networks still matter most.
👉 What companies and freelancers should do now to prepare for the future of independent work.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Elina Jutelyte, a founder of Freelance Business Community and Academy who, based on 400+ conversations with freelance business owners, hosting events for over 5,000 freelance attendees and running her own freelance business, helps freelancers build their business as a system, which makes them great partners for companies to trust, collaborate and grow with.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Elina and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elina-jutelyte/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Elina Jutelyte
(01:59) Going Freelance and Building Teams
(03:59) Trust and Risk Concerns
(05:34) Freelancers Are Too Expensive
(07:59) COVID and Work Shifts
(10:28) Whom to Call Independents
(14:28) Freelancer Red Flags
(19:44) Corporate Jargon and Bureaucracy
(22:26) How Companies Should Onboard
(24:18) Why Systems Still Don’t Exist
(26:18) Set Feedback Expectations
(27:37) Company Freelancer Misalignments
(29:34) Finding Exceptional Talent
(31:13) Why Networks Beat Platforms
(34:31) Future of Freelancing Trends
(41:40) Advice for Companies
(43:34) Freelancer Branding and Proof
(48:39) Why Freelance Data Lags
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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Missing episodes?
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“If your only way of hiring talent is through permanent headcount, you’re going to be too slow. By the time you scope the role, interview, and onboard, the market may already have moved on.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies can use freelancers more strategically to move faster, access specialized expertise, and stay competitive, in particular:
👉 Why freelancers are a strategic part of modern workforce planning.
👉 What slows big companies down when hiring freelancers.
👉 Why companies that ignore flexible talent risk falling behind.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Viki Dowthwaite, a Group Commercial Director at Trinnovo Group, who leads commercial strategy across the UK, Ireland, and the DACH region, helping organizations combine contract, consultancy, and embedded hiring to stay competitive in an increasingly complex and regulated talent landscape, and shapes how companies build modern workforces.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Viki and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikidowthwaite/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Viki Dowthwaite
(03:29) Why Freelancers Matter
(06:05) Enterprise Red Tape
(07:02) Market Evolution
(10:11) Blended Workforce Strategy
(15:03) GenAI and Hiring
(18:29) Sourcing Top Freelancers
(22:58) Vetting for Fast Impact
(24:05) Last Minute Blockers
(27:34) Post Placement Check-Ins
(30:37) Measuring Engagement Success
(32:39) Case Study Global Pharma Team
(36:32) Risks of Ignoring Flexible Talent
(39:23) Advice for Companies and Freelancers
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Freelancers are not random people winging it. These are professionals who made a choice to build a business around their expertise.”
In this episode, we discussed how the future of work is shifting from traditional employment toward a more flexible model built around independent professionals, and what companies need to change to work with them well, in particular:
👉 Why companies should start seeing freelancers as small businesses, not temporary outsiders.
👉 How fast companies can actually engage freelance experts compared to traditional hiring.
👉 What both companies and freelancers need to understand to build stronger long-term working relationships.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Rich Parker, the CEO of Plannernet, the largest provider of freelance meeting and event talent globally where with a network of 3,500+ vetted professionals across 70+ countries and over 200,000, hours of work delivered each year. They help organizations scale flexibly, stay compliant, and create world-class event experiences.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Rich and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-parker-1856b269/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Rich Parker
(04:16) Plannernet Model Explained
(07:10) Procurement vs Managing Talent
(10:56) Market Shifts and Generations
(15:56) Who Hires Freelancers Now
(18:22) Agency Role and Workflow
(21:20) Building Trust and Niche Focus
(23:58) Vetting Must Haves
(27:21) When It’s Not a Fit
(28:26) Employees as Suppliers
(31:56) Firing and Fit
(35:44) Who Should Own It
(38:32) Starting the Engagement
(43:40) Advice for Both Sides
(47:46) Regulation and Taxes
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Companies should stop asking, ‘How much time am I buying?’ and start asking, ‘What outcome am I trying to achieve?’ That's when freelancers stop looking like a cost and become a solution.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies can work smarter with freelancers, contractors, and independent experts by focusing less on job titles and more on outcomes, in particular:
👉 Move from fixed roles toward project-based, outcome-driven collaboration.
👉 What stops companies from building strong systems for working with freelancers at scale.
👉 Why companies should stop buying time and start buying results.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Gaëtan Vanreusel, the founder and partner of Camario, an executive search firm focused entirely on HR and people leadership, and for over 15 years, he’s been connecting companies like Amazon, Danone, and Zalando with top HR talent—whether full-time, interim, or independent—helping organizations build stronger, more adaptable teams across Europe.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Gaëtan and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaetanvanreusel/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Gaëtan Vanreusel
(02:46) Projects Over Positions
(04:19) Blended Workforce Shift
(09:24) MSP Contingent Workforce
(12:26) Barriers To Hiring
(16:39) Intermediaries Add Value
(18:22) How Matching Works
(20:38) Culture Fit Matters
(23:32) Vetting Freelancers Right
(25:01) Niche Positioning Wins
(29:48) Hiring for Results
(33:49) Finding Trusted Partners
(36:06) How to Test Independents
(37:14) Advice for Both Sides
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Freelancers are not less committed. They’re often more committed, because they’re only as good as their last project. If you want great work, treat them like partners, not placeholders.”
In this episode, we discussed how the freelance market evolved from crisis-driven necessity to a strategic talent model, and what both companies and freelancers must do to truly make it work, in particular:
👉 The shift from “freelancers as backup” to “freelancers as strategic advantage”.
👉 Why experienced freelancers “hit the ground running” faster than full-time hires.
👉 What both sides must do to create long-term, win-win collaboration.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Úna Herlihy, the Founder and Chief Matchmaker at The Indie List, Ireland's No.1 Place for Marketing Freelancers, where she connects companies with top freelance creative and marketing talent, who, with over 30 years of experience across leading agencies and as a marketing consultant, has built her career around main thing—creating the conditions for high-performing teams to deliver real business outcomes.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Úna and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/%C3%BAna-herlihy-698b606/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Una Herlihy
(01:12) Accidental Startup Story
(04:24) From LinkedIn List to Launch
(09:22) What the Indie List Is
(11:10) How Precision Matchmaking Works
(16:45) Client Briefing and Curation
(22:01) Client Types and Strategic Shift
(28:17) Overcoming Hiring Barriers
(31:31) Compliance Invoicing and Payments
(35:09) Onboarding Freelancers Like Team
(37:07) Advice for Both Sides
(40:58) Skills Development for Freelancers
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“You’re not paying for hours. You’re paying for 20 years of experience that can change your company in weeks.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies can rethink rewards, onboarding, and collaboration to unlock the full value of freelancers without burning out internal teams, in particular:
👉 The biggest misconception companies have about freelance costs.
👉 How to think about rewards beyond hourly or daily rates.
👉 Why mindset matters more than process when working with freelancers.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Anna Orzechowska, a total rewards strategist and freelance transformation consultant with over 20 years of experience helping global organizations rethink how they reward, engage, and support their people, who from leading compensation and benefits strategies across international companies to driving complex transformation and HR projects, brings a unique perspective as both a freelancer and a trusted advisor to organizations navigating change.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Anna and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-orzechowska-52b6b548/?locale=en_US
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Anna Orzechowska
(01:20) What Total Rewards Means
(04:42) Employees Versus Freelancers
(07:48) Retention Beyond Money
(10:34) Blended Workforce With AI
(15:58) True Cost Of Freelancers
(19:06) Agency Markups And Fair Rates
(21:27) Working Direct With Corporates
(25:21) Better Agency Models
(27:10) Hiring Blockers Explained
(29:52) Cross Functional Hiring Teams
(31:24) Freelancers First Option
(35:08) Rethinking Rewards
(39:49) Mindset Over Money
(41:12) Bonus And Compliance Tips
(44:11) Advice For Both Sides
(47:20) Biggest Future Fear
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Big consultancies feel safe, but often you’re just paying for a polished version of the same thinking.”
In this episode, we discussed how the flexible workforce is reshaping modern business and how shifting from a “vendor mindset” to a “partner mindset” unlocks speed, expertise, and real competitive advantage, in particular:
👉 The real difference between freelancers, contractors, and fractional leaders.
👉 How freelancers bring “external intelligence” into your business.
👉 The truth about agencies vs. freelance teams.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Jamie Read, a founder of BriteBirch Collective, a global consultancy built on the power of freelance talent, a fractional CMO with 20 years of experience helping brands grow through flexible, high-impact marketing leadership, and a true champion of the future of work helping companies scale with curated freelance talent while empowering independent professionals to build sustainable businesses.Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Jamie and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjamieread/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Jamie Read
(01:09) Fractional vs Freelance
(02:25) Flexible Workforce Terms
(05:02) Freelancer Skill Ladder
(07:50) Where To Find Talent
(09:26) Business Sizes And Barriers
(14:47) Freelancers As Superpowers
(15:46) Procurement Versus HR
(19:21) Why Big Firms Feel Safer
(24:20) Layoffs To Freelance
(26:31) Contracts And Cybersecurity
(29:32) Freelancing Risks
(32:46) Building Reliable Teams
(36:00) Three Step Hiring System
(38:18) Advice For Both Sides
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Freelancers aren’t a risk to your business. The real risk is not knowing how to work with them. The companies that figure this out early will win access to the best talent in the world.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies and freelancers can successfully collaborate in a rapidly evolving, compliance-driven, outcome-focused future of work, in particular:
👉 Why top talent is choosing independence over full-time roles.
👉 How compliance becomes a strategic advantage, not just a legal necessity.
👉 The hidden risks of misclassifying freelancers (and how to avoid them).
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Jeff Nugent, a global contingent workforce strategist, managing editor at Contingent Workforce Strategies, Linkedin's Largest Community of HR, procurement and contingent workforce professionals, one of the leading voices in independent contractor compliance and the founder of Independently.ai, the world’s first Compliance-as-a-Service platform for independent talent, who has spent decades helping enterprises manage billions of dollars in contract, freelance, and temporary workforce spend while turning compliance and risk into strategic advantage.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Jeff and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffnugent/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Jeff Nugent
(02:13) Y2K and enterprise scaling
(03:20) Internet era and compliance focus
(05:13) Future of work and AI
(08:50) Shift from hours to outcomes
(10:11) Company blockers control and compliance
(15:44) Misclassification and contractor tests
(21:30) How to work productively together
(24:23) Who owns onboarding inside companies
(28:49) Three-step freelancer system
(31:30) Advice for companies and freelancers
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“If you don’t invest in how freelancers experience your company, you’re not just losing talent. You’re losing time, money, and future opportunities you don’t even see.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies and freelancers can work better together by shifting from “plug-and-play hiring” to building trusted, human-centered, long-term collaboration systems, in particular:
👉 How building a trusted freelance network reduces costs and increases quality.
👉 Why freelancer experience directly impacts productivity and creativity.
👉 Simple steps companies can take today to become “freelance-friendly”.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Matthew Knight, an independent strategist who has worked with brands like LEGO, Klarna, Accenture, and Adidas, the founder of Leapers, an award-winning initiative supporting the mental health of freelancers, a Chief Freelance Officer at The Independency Co., helping companies and independent professionals collaborate better together, and someone who has spent years standing in the space between freelancers and the organizations that hire them, exactly where the future of work is being shaped.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Matthew and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thinkplaymake/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Matthew Knight
(01:30) What is Chief Freelance Officer
(03:40) Building trusted networks
(06:01) Market maturity shifts
(09:38) Hybrid teams and AI
(13:04) Mindset and misalignments
(16:07) Process onboarding pitfalls
(17:47) Freelance friendly framework
(21:15) ROI of supporting freelancers
(23:51) Why hiring stays slow
(26:20) Learn by Doing
(30:03) Freelancer Value Case
(32:05) Who Owns the Process
(34:52) Why Process Matters
(36:10) Client Behavior and Wellbeing
(38:50) Advice for Companies
(40:31) Advice for New Freelancers
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“You don’t need more employees. You need access to the right expertise at the right moment. That’s the difference between scaling slowly and moving fast.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies can unlock more value by working with freelancers, and why success depends more on mindset, trust, and clarity than cost, in particular:
👉 Why hiring freelancers is shifting from “cost-saving” to “value creation”.
👉 The #1 mistake companies make when starting with freelancers.
👉 Why the best companies buy expertise on demand, not full-time roles.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Przemek Glosny, a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Useme, a platform that helps companies work with freelancers quickly, legally, and securely, who, with the Useme team, has helped more than 50,000 companies (including IKEA, Samsung, and HBO) collaborate with independent talent.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Przemek and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/przemekglosny/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Przemek Glosny
(01:18) Origin Story of Useme
(02:18) Freelancer Label Shift
(04:32) Who Hires Independents
(07:15) Why Freelancers Win
(08:53) Company Hiring Blockers
(13:57) How to Change Mindset
(18:10) First Steps to Start
(20:47) Expectation Misalignment
(22:50) Value Based Pricing
(25:55) Freelancer Frustrations
(34:23) Advice for Both Sides
(37:51) Future of Global Work
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“The question isn’t whether freelancers will become part of your workforce strategy. The real question is whether you’ll adapt before your competitors do.”
In this episode, we discussed why talent choosing independence will reshape how organizations hire in the next 3–5 years, in particular:
👉 Why more professionals are choosing freelancing instead of traditional employment.
👉 The mindset shift from “owning talent” to accessing talent on demand.
👉 How staffing companies must evolve to stay relevant in the freelance economy.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Ray Culver, a global strategist in the talent and contingent workforce space with over 30 years of experience in staffing, workforce strategy, and talent marketplaces starting with leadership roles at Randstad, Manpower, and Scout Exchange, to now being a founder and CEO of CWsolutions Group, helping staffing firms and HR tech companies design go-to-market strategies across the US and Europe, and also a Managing Director for the Americas at TALiNT Partners, connecting leaders across the global talent ecosystem.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Ray and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayeculver/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Ray Culver
(03:05) What We Call Freelancers
(06:11) What Stops Companies From Using Freelancers
(07:18) How to Start a Freelance Program
(08:20) Finding Internal Champions
(10:07) Who Owns Contingent Workforce
(12:42) How the Market Has Evolved
(16:01) Staffing Firms in the Crossfire
(18:45) Mindset Shift and Pilot Wins
(23:55) Competitors and Local Culture
(25:20) AI vs Freelance Adoption
(27:22) Risks of Not Adapting
(29:27) When Companies Will Shift
(31:27) Why Success Stays Secret
(33:17) Dream Hiring Decision Tool
(36:54) Advice for Both Sides
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork -
“The ability to bring in specialized talent quickly is what allows startups and innovative companies to scale faster than their competitors.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies can scale faster and smarter by working with freelancers, and what both sides must do to make those partnerships successful, in particular:
👉 What is pushing more professionals into independent work.
👉 The biggest fears companies have when hiring independent experts.
👉 What the ideal system for hiring freelancers should look like.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Katherine Steiner-Dicks, the founder of BuzzVestor Media, business journalist, freelancer advocate, and editorial consultant for The Freelance Informer, who's been covering private equity and venture capital for over 20 years while building her own freelance career in parallel and helping businesses hire right independent talent.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Kate and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-s-1988017/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Kate Steiner-Dicks
(03:59) AI and Rising Expectations
(07:31) Company Concerns Hiring Freelancers
(10:21) From Vendor to Partner
(12:08) Expectation Gaps and Communication
(14:32) Data Security and NDAs
(17:39) Internal vs External Talent
(22:27) Why Flexible Talent Scales
(25:29) Hiring Fast and Letting Go
(26:40) Freelancers Want Projects
(28:02) Recruiter Trust Issues
(32:27) Relationship First Recruiting
(38:48) Pay Terms And Respect
(40:32) Fixing IR35 Barriers
(44:51) Advice For Companies And Newbies
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork -
“If you’re afraid to bring in outside talent, ask yourself what you’re really protecting: your strategy or your comfort? Growth rarely lives inside comfort.”
In this episode, we discussed how companies can unlock transformation, agility, and performance by strategically partnering with executive-level independent talent, in particular:
👉 How “executive entrepreneurs” are redefining leadership.
👉 A real transformation story from a global enterprise.
👉 How to build a blended workforce strategy that actually works.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Jamie Jacobs, the founder and CEO of Gig Talent, where she helps companies solve their hardest leadership and transformation challenges fast without waiting for a full-time hire, and also a trusted advisor, keynote speaker, a professor at The University of Southern California, and the host of The Courageous Choice podcast where she explores the bold decisions that shape modern leadership.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Jamie and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlatianojacobs/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Jamie Jacobs
(02:04) How HR Has Changed
(03:03) What Do We Call Independent Experts
(05:11) Why Gig Talent Exists
(09:52) Biggest Blockers For Companies
(14:07) Leading Adobe's HRBP Transformation as an Independent Leader
(22:32) Why External Experts Spot Blind Spots
(26:16) Building an Integrated Talent Strategy
(28:50) Blended Workforce Myths
(30:47) Where Freelancing Is Headed
(35:06) Experience “Great” Independent Talent Firsthand
(38:40) Pilots for Companies + Finding Your Superpower as a Freelancer
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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"You’re already working with freelancers. The real question is whether you’re doing it strategically or accidentally."
In this episode, we discussed how enterprises can strategically integrate freelancers into their workforce led by procurement, driven by small wins, and focused on real business impact, in particular:
👉 The real reason companies struggle to scale freelancer adoption.
👉 Why procurement, not HR, should own external workforce strategy.
👉 The cost savings potential of structured freelance programs.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Danny Gal, an experienced business leader and board director who stands right at the intersection of enterprise transformation and the rise of the independent workforce, who, as a co-founder of Proteams Europe, helps large organizations tap into Europe’s top flexible talent across IT, digital, and creative as their real business advantage.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Danny and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannygal/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Danny Gal
(02:43) An enterprise external workforce strategy (and why terms matter)
(04:45) Why procurement should own it
(06:31) How to kick it off
(08:08) Who ProTeam works with
(09:34) Change management in big corporates
(11:18) Finding the “neck on the line” leaders
(14:04) What really motivates stakeholders
(16:14) Biggest blockers
(19:43) Sharing business success stories to scale adoption
(22:35) Keeping Procurement in the Loop
(24:34) Blended Workforce Reality Check
(27:47) Why Flexibility Is Non‑Negotiable
(31:10) The Simplest First Step to Build an Independent Talent System
(33:50) What Happens If You Don’t Adapt
(39:41) Tech to Match Work to the Right Supplier
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork -
“If you only hire full-time employees, you’re building a workforce for yesterday’s economy.”
In this episode, we discussed how enterprises really hire freelancers today, what blocks adoption internally, and why access to skills (not ownership of employees) defines the future of work, in particular:
👉 Why “talent access” is replacing traditional talent acquisition.
👉 Who owns freelance hiring inside corporations.
👉 What companies risk if they ignore the independent workforce shift.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Tony Buffum, a transformational HR leader and Head of Enterprise Strategy at Human Cloud, who works with global enterprises, investors, and governments to design flexible workforce programs and unlock the power of independent talent.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Tony and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-buffum-hrexecutive/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Tony Buffum
(01:12) The Role of Freelancers in Large Enterprises
(04:03) Market Dynamics and the Shift to Independent Work
(08:24) Challenges and Solutions in Hiring Freelancers
(09:30) A Tug War Between Departments
(14:10) Start Small and Share Success Stories
(19:03) What Blocks Working With Freelancers
(23:46) Benefits of Hiring Freelancers
(28:41) Navigating the Freelancer Hiring Process
(36:50) Building Trust in the Freelance Marketplace
(40:36) Advice for Freelancers and Enterprises
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Startups don’t fail because they lack effort. They fail because they move too slow. Freelancers buy you time, and time is survival.”
In this episode, we discussed how startups can use freelancers as strategic partners to move faster, hire smarter, and build scalable businesses from day one, in particular:
👉 How freelancers help startups move from idea to MVP faster.
👉 How freelancers can directly impact fundraising readiness.
👉 The biggest mistakes startups make when working with freelancers.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Nir Melamud, Head of Partnerships and Investments at ThinkUp, Managing Partner at Tech Investor Club, Founder of FreshStart, and startup ecosystem builder with over 20 years of experience helping startups go from idea to fundable business, who works with founders on investor readiness, go-to-market, and scaling.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Nir and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-melamud/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Nir Melamud
(00:54) Connecting Startups and Freelancers
(01:18) Nir's Professional Journey
(04:25) Full-time vs Freelancers in Startups
(06:39) Hiring Freelancers for Startups
(09:43) Freelancers' Impact on Startups
(14:41) Finding and Hiring Freelancers
(21:12) How To Get The Best Freelancers
(26:52) Where To Find Freelancers
(33:14) The Role of AI in Hiring
(35:28) Final Thoughts and Advice
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“If you don’t own your flexible workforce strategy, chaos will own it for you.”
In this episode, we discussed the shift from accidental freelancing to intentional workforce strategy and how to thrive in the future of work, in particular:
👉 How flexible work slowly “crept in” without strategy or governance.
👉 Who inside companies should really own the independent workforce.
👉 Why the future of work is blended—not permanent vs freelance.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Jack Spencer, a flexible workforce specialist with over a decade of experience helping enterprises work smarter with freelance talent, the founder of Freeflexer, co-founder of Club Redundo, who's also led enterprise partnerships at YunoJuno, working with global brands across media, tech, and finance.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Jack and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackarthurgeorge/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Jack Spencer
(01:17) Jack's Professional Journey
(02:43) The Concept Behind Freeflex
(04:32) Challenges in Managing Freelance Talent
(05:53) Ownership and Governance in Freelance Management
(12:51) Mindset Shifts for Embracing Independent Work
(18:07) Future of Work and Adaptation
(20:43) Engaging the Right Decision Makers
(21:16) Persuading Businesses to Embrace Change
(23:46) Finding the Right Freelancers
(26:51) Building Long-Term Relationships with Freelancers
(29:43) Addressing Common Barriers in Freelance Work
(31:43) The Role of AI in the Freelance Market
(38:09) Advice for Companies and Freelancers
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“Enterprises that don't adapt will find themselves running faster… in the wrong direction.”
In this episode, we discussed how enterprises can overcome internal barriers and start working more effectively with independent talent, in particular:
👉 How the role of the recruiter is changing in the age of AI.
👉 Why enterprises are turning to blended workforce models (internal, external, and AI).
👉 The hidden blockers: budgets, procurement systems, and terminology.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Rich Wilson, CEO and Co-Founder of Gigged.AI, the blended workforce platform for enterprises, who, with prior experience at Gartner and Allegis Group, is reshaping how enterprises tackle skill gaps using freelancers, internal talent, and AI, and is also passionate about mental health, AI, and the future of work.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Rich and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richlwilson/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00) Meet Rich Wilson
(01:22) Rich's Journey in Recruitment
(06:06) The Evolution of the Recruiter Role
(08:21) Gigged AI's Focus on Enterprise Solutions
(12:06) Challenges and Strategies in Enterprise Adoption
(20:53) Addressing Common Concerns About Freelancing
(24:50) Understanding the Freelancer Marketplace
(25:30) The Importance of Terminology in Enterprise
(26:15) Budget Categories and Procurement
(30:23) Building the Blended Talent Platform
(31:51) Challenges in Enterprise Integration
(33:53) The Future of the Blended Workforce
(41:30) Advice for Companies and Freelancers
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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“When you earn the loyalty of an elite independent, you don’t just hire one person—you gain access to their network, their insights, and their industry radar.”
In this episode, we discussed how freelancing has changed across major economic/tech shifts, and what both sides must do to thrive in the future—especially in an AI-shaped world, in particular:
👉 The difference between platforms, specialized agencies, and communities when sourcing talent.
👉 The biggest blocker for companies hiring independents.
👉 How budget clarity and decision-maker involvement can make or break a deal.
Join Yurii Lazaruk, an Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at freelancermap, and Robert Vlach, a freelancing entrepreneur, who consults top-notch professionals and business owners on shaping their business strategy and systematically supports independent professionals, a founder of two of the largest professional communities Freelancing.eu and Navolnenoze.cz, an author of The Freelance Way, an international business bestseller, and a huge ambassador of freelancers.
Together, we explore the now and the future of work through the lens of temporary employment, and how companies can get the most out of such collaboration!
Connect with Robert and Yurii on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertvlach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/
Whether you’re looking to hire top freelance talent fast or are a freelancer ready to find your next big project, freelancermap connects the right people with the right work 💪
Visit https://www.freelancermap.com/ and start building your next success story today!🚀
Timestamps:
(00:00 Meet Robert Vlach: Freelancing Entrepreneur
(01:29) Robert's Freelancing Journey
(08:43) Milestones in the Freelance Economy
(13:35) Current Trends and Challenges in Freelancing
(28:07) Advice for Companies Hiring Freelancers
(49:49) The Future of Freelancing
#freelance #hiring #futureofwork
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