Customer Reviews

Free Agents: People and Organizations Creating a New Working Community (Jossey-Bass Business & Management)

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Whether you are a contract or temporary employee, a consultant or freelancer, or working internally in management or on the front-line, FREE AGENTS is a wonderful gamebook for understanding the new world of work. It clearly explains the new rules of the workplace, and what individuals need to do to succeed, adn what organizatitions need to do to attract the individuals that will enable them to succeed.

FREE AGENTS presents a clear and accessible four step process for individuals to become FREE AGENTS. It provides strategies and tips for individuals to answer four critical questions:
What is the market that I want to serve?
What are the unmet needs of this market?
What are the assets I bring that can meet these need?
How can I continue to acquire new skills, experiences, and relationships that enable me to sustain my employability in that market?

This book helped me understand how I need to change my attitudes and actions to create and sustain my own employability. It also helped me see what companies are doing to attract individuals with the skills they need to succeed.

A well-written and logical exploration of the new workplace for both the "employee" & "employer". Defines roles and scenarios for "Free Agents" who shape their careers within one company as well as those who move from company to company. It goes well below the surface (and platitudes) of most self-help books to give real concepts and tools for developing your career and marketability, independent of a specific job or title. It also gives usable guidelines to employers on how to maximize the strengths of "Free Agents" to help grow the company. Case studies highlight the key elements

A very good handbook when you live in a very uncertain world with no job tenure or job security. Anyone reading the book in the context of career management will find it useful as the sections are generally short and to the point. Also key points are 'bulleted' so it is easy to 'digest' them. The cycle of separating => redefining => positioning => sustaining is very lucidly explained and supported with short case stories. Many of us have to re-invent ourselves; this is a useful handy book to have for thriving in a world that will eventually be dominated by free agents. Even though the book is written for an American readership, it is equally applicable to anywhere on planet earth!