Perhaps you have seen an employment ad that looks something like this: We have an opening for a seasoned sales professional, articulate and intelligent, strong sales track record, enjoys prospecting and working remotely with prospects, good written communication skills, superior verbal communication skills, strong closing skills, Bachelors degree, Microsoft Office literate, work from home venue, self motivated, independent.
You must be willing to work with no initial compensation or benefits on a commission only basis.
Impossible to fill this position you might say? A college educated, talented and articulate individual would not be willing to work on a commission only basis? Perhaps that was the correct view in the past, but in today's virtual world, this position is not difficult to fill.
We can tap into stay at home moms, stay at home dads, retired or semi-retired professionals, and those who just cannot leave their homes for a myriad of reasons.
Lifestyle changes are acting as a catalyst for a new type of workforce, a workforce of talented part time individuals, solopreneurs, professionals offering on demand services on a contract basis, executives who are tired of the 2 hour per day commute and seeking a better and more flexible alternative and finally, reluctant entrepreneurs, those who have been laid off or "downsized" and are trying to create their own businesses.
I call this work force the brick and mortar disenfranchised.
Not long ago, I posted a free ad on Craigslist, received a couple of dozen responses, closely reviewed four resumes and hired a superbly experienced individual.
This individual sought a stay at home professional position, extreme flexibility, and compelling income opportunity through a commission only program.
Our program offered flexibility, opportunity and income potential but no guaranteed income or benefits.
The individual we hired was a full time mom with limited time and flexibility, but she was also a former business development executive she had both a Bachelors and Law Degree.
Why would she be interested in our position? She can meet her children when they get off the school bus (or pick them up from school) without concern about punching the clock or reporting their whereabouts.
She can attend fund raisers, school outings and functions, run her errands and her household - and when she wants to - she can invest 10 or 12 hours toward her virtual career.
We have used this model successfully for over six years.
We enjoy a competitive advantage by working with superior, highly qualified people that traditional brick and mortar businesses cannot employ.
This makes our company and other virtual companies more flexible, profitable, and able to easily expand or contract when necessary.
We don't invest in offices, furniture, heat or lights - just people and technology.
And nobody gets paid until they produce something - if someone is earning - they are producing.
It's a better model and a better lifestyle for everyone we work with.
Virtual is here today, and virtual is here to stay.