On-demand platforms (ODP's) are slowly taking over our lives and the way we get things done. They are playing a huge role in the growing gig economy worldwide. They provide a wealth of opportunities for those who want to access on-demand services as well as those who provide these services. Through ODP's, organizations can quickly access resources at short notice, and service providers can easily offer their skills to those who need them. Recent statistics say that 50% of the US workforce holds a job with at least partial telecommutes. It's a win-win situation.

1. A GUIDE TO
USING
ON-DEMAND
PLATFORMS

2. WHAT ARE
ON-DEMAND
PLATFORMS
OR ODP'S?
On-demand platforms (ODP's)
allow you to hire resources
immediately upon requirement,
enabling customers to access
goods and services at short notice.
ODP's provide a convenient means
to getting something done quickly,
and they usually help fill a skill,
knowledge or talent gap.
Uber and Airbnb are good
representative examples of the
on-demand economy. Online
platforms such as Toptal and
Upwork host freelancers, who are
available for hire, on demand.

3. CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION
With the growth of ODP's, talent
is no longer restricted to the
lines on a map.
The Harvard Business Review
reports that the on-demand
economy is "attracting more
than 22.4 million consumers
annually and $57.6 billion in
spending."
As more and more workers
choose to offer their services
online, it is up to organizations
to tap into the enormous
resources at their disposal.

4. ON-DEMAND ECONOMY
Online marketplaces form a huge part of the on-demand economy
(Source: Harvard Business Review)

5. WHY ON-DEMAND PLATFORMS?
ACCESS GLOBAL
TALENT
FIND SOMEONE AT
SHORT NOTICE & GET
WORK DONE QUICKLY
WORK AROUND
RESTRICTIVE POLICIES
SET YOUR OWN
BUDGET/DEADLINE
SUPPLEMENT YOUR
COMPANY'S CORE
CAPABILITIES
SCALE UP TEAMS
EASILY TO MANAGE
WORKLOAD PEAKS

6. The world is becoming
increasingly collaborative.
We can no longer work
in isolation: startups
need data science
experts, doctors need
translators, scientists
need writers, and more.
ODP's provide a means
for interdisciplinary
collaboration to take
place, which can pave
the way for surprising
and relevant
innovations.

7. TYPES OF
ON-DEMAND
PLATFORMS
99 DESIGNS HAS
GREAT DESIGNERS
UPWORK IS GREAT FOR
LOW-COST RESOURCES
TASKRABBIT IS FOR
FINDING FREELANCE
LOCAL LABOUR
OPD'S ARE USUALLY
CATEGORIZED ACCORDING
TO THE SPECIALITY OF THE
FREELANCER BASE THEY
HOST.
TOPTAL HAS GREAT
DEVELOPERS

8. OVERALL PROCESS FLOW
Post your project details
Freelancer bids on it proposing a fee and deadline
Shortlist, interview and pick the best-suited freelancer
Collaborate with the freelancer
Pay the freelancer once you approve the output
HOW ODP'S WORK

9. HOW IT WORKS: AN EXAMPLE
TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT FREELANCER FOR YOUR PROJECT
MICHELLE IS AN AUTHOR BASED IN THE US
WHO NEEDS HELP EDITING HER MANUSCRIPT.
TANYA IS AN EXPERIENCED EDITOR
AND WRITER BASED IN THE UK.
MICHELLE CONTINUES TO WORK WITH AMY
FOR ALL HER EDITING NEEDS, AND THE BOTH OF
THEM COLLABORATE SUCCESSFULLY.
MICHELLE HIRES AMY THROUGH AN ODP FOR AN IMMEDIATE
REQUIREMENT AND IS HAPPY WITH THE OUTPUT.

10. TIPS ON DEFINING REQUIREMENTS
KEEP YOUR PROJECT DESCRIPTION CLEAR AND CONCISE
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE POSTING YOUR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
A well-written project description is half the problems solved, as
it can greatly help filter out irrelevant bids and increase your
chances of finding the right freelancer.
Eg.: Looking for a freelance
graphic designer, experienced in
Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, to
create a 10-page booklet within a
week.

11. TIPS ON DEFINING REQUIREMENTS
DEFINE THE MAIN CHALLENGE BUT DO NOT DISCLOSE
CONFIDENTIAL DETAILS
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE POSTING YOUR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
MAKE SURE THAT THE PROJECT IS VISIBLE ONLY TO THE
SIGNED-IN USER BASE AND IS NOT PUBLICLY VIEWABLE
TO ENSURE SECURITY
This is especially relevant in projects where there is a need to
protect IP, where there is a patent pending, or there is other
sensitive information that needs to be disclosed to the freelancer.

12. CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXPERT
VERIFY THE EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE
FREELANCER
TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT FREELANCER FOR YOUR PROJECT
This can be done by using external validators like Orcid, or by verifying
freelancers' profiles on academic and business websites. On platforms
like Freelancer and Upwork you may receive a lot of bids, but they may
be highly inconsistent in quality and you have to vet them carefully.

13. TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT FREELANCER FOR YOUR PROJECT
TRY OUT A FREELANCER FOR A SMALL TEST PROJECT
If a freelancer seems like a good fit but you're not entirely convinced,
you can work with the freelancer on a small project first. Once you're
confident, you can then increase the scope of the project.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXPERT
In platforms like Kolabtree, you can increase the scope and budget
as you go along. This is one of the biggest advantages offered by
ODP's: better security and flexibility.

14. CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXPERT
MAKE SURE THE FREELANCER UNDERSTANDS THE SCOPE
OF PROJECT
Explain your objectives clearly at the beginning and set specific goals.
Most platforms allow uploading and sharing of files that can provide
an in-depth description of the project. Make sure the platform allows
unlimited discussion with the freelancer so that you have enough
time to understand each other.
TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT FREELANCER FOR YOUR PROJECT

15. CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXPERT
AGREE ON THE FEE AND DEADLINES
Discuss the budget and schedule with the expert and set a buffer in
case of any delays. Also make sure that the freelancer is happy with
the agreed budget and will not deliver low-quality work. In some
platforms, you can increase the budget subject to the approval of both
parties as the project progresses.
TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT FREELANCER FOR YOUR PROJECT

16. CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXPERT
SIGN AN NDA
Protect your information with the relevant documentation. Most ODP's
Terms of Service usually include confidentiality terms by default, that
both parties have to sign. However, externals agreement may also be
uploaded by the client for additional security. Kolabtree's interface
allows clients to choose from an NDA template or upload their own.
TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT FREELANCER FOR YOUR PROJECT

17. CHOOSING THE RIGHT EXPERT
SPEAK WITH THE EXPERT OVER PHONE/SKYPE
A face-to-face conversation can make an immediate connect and
greatly improve the collaboration process. It can also help you assess
not only how accessible but also how interested the freelancer is.
TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT FREELANCER FOR YOUR PROJECT

18. PAYMENT MODELS
The fee through an ODP is typically paid on a fixed, hourly
or retainer basis.
Fixed price system: The client pays an agreed amount to the
freelancer for a specific deliverable/project milestone.
Hourly pay: The client is billed according to the hours put in by
the freelancer. Platforms like Upwork have an in-built timesheet
to keep track of the hours.
Retainership: The freelancer is paid an amount on a regular
basis, which can be billed against the final amount due.

19. PAYMENT PROCESS
Most platforms offer fixed-price protection, in which a fee (an escrow
amount) is paid by the client to the platform in advance
The amount is held by the platform and is paid to the freelancer
once the client is satisfied with the output
If the client finds the work unsatisfactory, the amount is
refunded
This system protects both the client and freelancer, and is one of the
biggest advantages of using an ODP.

20. PAYMENT MODELS
ODP's typically charge a fixed commission on the freelancer's
earnings. Upwork offers a system where the commission fee
is reduced progressively between the client and freelancer as
they continue to work together.
CLIENT PLATFORM FREELANCER
PAYMENT PAYMENT - COMMISSION
Make sure that the ODP is using a safe and secure payment
system.

21. COMMUNICATE
COLLABORATING
SET GOALS
REVIEW
COLLABORATING
TIPS ON EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION
Break up the goal into smaller ones
with fixed timelines in case the
project is spread out.
Regularly review work in progress so
that you can provide feedback. This
also helps save time and energy.
Frequently communicate with the
freelancer to make sure you're on
the same page.

22. GOING OFFLINE: THE RISKS
NO SECURITY
Both freelancers and clients can be tempted to take the project offline
and work independently of the platform (called "platform leakage").
However, the risks are far more than the perks, some of which are
outlined below.
An ODP guarantees protection of payment, both on paper as well
as in practice. Without this security, there is no guarantee that
either party will provide what it promises to.
LACK OF TIME TRACKING SYSTEMS
The lack of a reliable third-party platform for tracking hours and
making payments accordingly can create confusion and
disagreements for both the client and the freelancer.

23. GOING OFFLINE: THE RISKS
NO DOCUMENTATION
Both parties using an ODP are bound by the platform's terms
and conditions which protects their information and
confidentiality. Without this paperwork in place, disputes can
arise between the client and freelancer, and sensitive information
may be leaked.

24. SUMMARY
OPD'S ARE A GREAT WAY OF GETTING QUICK HELP ON
SHORT-TERM PROJECTS AT A BUDGET OF YOUR CHOICE.
WHILE HIRING, VERIFY THE FREELANCER'S DETAILS AND
TRY OUT A SAMPLE PROJECT IF UNSURE.
PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION BY HAVING THE REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS SIGNED BY BOTH PARTIES.
MAKE SURE THAT PAYMENTS ARE MADE SECURELY.
DO NOT TAKE THE PROJECT OFFLINE; YOU LOSE THE
SECURITY THE ODP OFFERS.

25. GO AHEAD AND
TAP IN TO THE
POWER OF
ON-DEMAND
PLATFORMS.
www.kolabtree.com
blog.kolabtree.com
WE'RE SOCIAL.
contact@kolabtree.com