Consider this: A new business model based not on businesses offering long-term or permanent employment in which corporate loyalty is rewarded but rather a model in which businesses hire only for short-term needs. According to Sudhir Vankatesh, professor of sociology at Columbia University, this new flexible business model is a result of the present economic downturn. He stated on PBS’s NewsHour on Aug. 31, 2009, that most businesses that “… come to job fairs are looking to hire consultants, looking to hire subcontractors that they could employ on a very casual basis….” (www.pbs.org)
Consider this: A group of skilled professionals, positioned for just this type of contract work, is available for hire now in Valparaiso (whether or not Vanketesh’s projection proves true). This group, the Professional Cooperative Network of Indiana (PCNI), is comprised of experienced workers in career transition who can offer their experience and skills to businesses and non-profits on a permanent, project, or volunteer basis.
PCNI members come from a variety of fields ranging from accounting, safety, and information technologies to marketing, event planning, communications, and more. While the goal of many PCNI members is permanent, paid employment, there are several immediate advantages to project-based, temporary work. These include keeping one’s skills “fine-tuned,” staying professionally active, networking with others, and contributing to society in a meaningful way.
Recently Tom Murphy, a PCNI member with over 40 years of accounting experience in the transportation, publishing, manufacturing, and healthcare industries, helped the staff at the Porter County Family Counseling Center (PCFCC). He addressed a need for more proficiency with QuickBooks software by training the staff and troubleshooting accounting procedures.
Of his reasons for volunteering at the Center, Tom said, “I thought that it would be nice if it could lead to other things [like employment], but it also gave me the opportunity to utilize my skills.”
Not only did Tom get the accounting at the counseling center on firmer footing, but he also brought in other PCNI members. Bill Landwer, Laura Lunkes, Joe Kusiak, and Jan Jones advised on computer, marketing, operations, and outreach issues respectively. PCFCC Executive Director Tracy Traut is grateful for the volunteer assistance. In her words, “We were able to get things done that needed to be done.” She added that PCNI can really help organizations like hers that have the constraints of a small budget.
Jan Jones saw immediate results from her volunteer work at PCFCC when she was hired for two part-time jobs. “I benefited directly from my involvement at PCFCC. I got both my jobs as a result of Tracy’s recommendation.” Both of Jan’s jobs are contract positions and dependent on available funding.
Though most PCNI members would prefer to find permanent employment, they are nevertheless excited about the many ways that project-based work can benefit both them and the community in these challenging economic times. PCNI does not charge agency fees, and payment arrangements are negotiated between the hiring entity and the PCNI member. Pro bono consulting is usually available to non-profits. To learn more about PCNI and its members, please go to www.pcni.weebly.com. Cobie Ball is a member of PCNI.
Written by Cobie Ball.