Digital nomads are more than just a trend: they’re transforming how people and companies work
The title, ‘digital nomad,’ is a trendy concept, but it’s more than just a fad. It’s also a signal that business and workplace expectations are changing.
According to the New York Times, a recent Gallup survey of 15,000 adults found that “43% of employed Americans spent at least some time working remotely,” and that number is only expected to grow.
Head to digital nomad hotspots like Ubud on the island of Bali, Indonesia, or Chang Mai, Thailand, and you’re more likely to hear English than the native language. Thousands of people flock to these cities for the low cost of living, plentiful WiFi and robust expat communities.
It’s different than just starting a membership at your local WeWork and calling into meetings via Skype. These digital nomads usually change locations regularly. Rarely you’ll find people who live places for more than a year. And as the popular destinations become crowded, new spots are popping up in unexpected areas. For example, areas like the mountains of Bulgaria, the sunny Canary Islands and the seaside cities of Morocco are growing in their digital nomad fame, as is the increase of coworking spaces, like Coworking Bansko (Bulgaria), Restation (Canary Islands) and SunDesk.
And, with this rise, a new industry has risen: companies who coordinate travel and logistics for groups of digital nomads looking for stability and consistency within a fast-moving, ever-changing world. Organizations like Remote Year and Hacker Paradise boast curated communities and experiences for people wanting to expand into the nomadic lifestyle. For a monthly fee, they handle housing, transportation, and workspaces for people looking for 3-, 6-, or year-long excursions. Hopping from country to country, they guarantee speedy wifi and productive working environments paired with cultural and social events to keep participants engaged. They’re like the gateway to digital nomadic, offering many of the rewards with lower risk.
This surge of remote workers is changing how companies and employees see work.
“The workplace and workforce are going to change pretty dramatically as we look forward,” said Deborah Henretta, Proctor & Gamble group president in a PWC report on millennial work trends. “The entire concept of work is going to become more flexible.”
Many digital nomads had to petition their bosses to let them work remotely; others who work in more rigid environments decide to quit to pursue their location independent lifestyle.
As the PWC report shows, 71 percent of millennials see working abroad as an impending reality, not a distant dream. Some international employers are already offering international assignments, while others reward employees by allowing them flexibility in work location.
For companies looking to keep good talent, it’s an issue they will inevitably have to face. Do they retain high performers by allowing them to work remotely? Or, are they willing to sacrifice talent for people willing to work on-site, in the office?
