A recent independent survey of more than 7,000 oDesk clients who have recently hired oDesk contractors indicates that online work is a growing trend being leveraged by savvy managers, and that it is seen as a strategic, long-term source of competitive advantage.

1. The Online Work Survey

2. Methodology
• Study was conducted online by Genesis Research Associates
• 7,098 oDesk clients responded
• Margin of error: 1.1%
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3. Of all the oDesk clients surveyed…
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4. Most are early technology adopters
Adoption Categories
Self-Description
Early
majority
27%
Early I always look for
48%
42%
adopters
tech solutions
62%
Laggards
11%
Agree strongly
Agree
Q) Which of the following statements best describes your company’s attitude about new technologies?
Q) How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?
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Base (total respondents): 7,098

5. 4 of 5 say they have management
experience
Management Experience
46%
37%
17%
Novice manager
Some experience
Very experienced
Q) How would you rate your own expertise with respect to hiring and managing people?
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Base (total respondents): 7,098

6. Three-quarters have at least a B.A./B.S. degree
Respondent Education
41%
34%
25%
Bachelors
Bachelors
Grad School/Grad Degree
Q) What is the last grade of school that you had the opportunity to complete?
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Base (those who answered): 6,724

7. Remote hiring is seen as strategic
Remote Hiring Attitude
Remote Hiring Attitudes
Remote hiring makes
company more 48%
42%
competitive
Long-term
strategy
Agree strongly
76%
Temporary Agree
solution
24%
Remote hiring will soon
43%
45%
be common
Q: Which of the following statements best describes how you feel about hiring remote contractors: Hiring remote contractors is a temporary
solution; one day I hope to hire employees to fill these needs OR I don’t want to hire employees, so I will continue to use remote contractors
Q: How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?
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Base (total respondents): 7,098

8. Lift, not shift!
Only 15% would have hired locally
Alternative If No oDesk
50%
22%
15%
9%
Other contracting source
Work extra hours
Local hire
Delay/cancel project
Q: If there had not been an appropriate oDesk contractor available for this project, what would you most likely have done?
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Base (those who answered): 6,912 [Note – “Other” responses are not included in these charts]

9. Most prefer a more qualified
contractor, even at a higher cost
Preference/Trade-Off
More qualified
62%
Less expensive
38%
Q) Which of the following statements best describes how you feel about hiring a remote contractor: I would prefer to pay more and
get a more qualified contractor OR I would prefer to hire the lowest-priced contractor who can do the work.
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Base (total respondents): 7,098

10. For more information on this survey
or for media inquiries, please email:
press@odesk.com
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