Free Agent Nation : How Americans New Independent Workers Are Transforming the Way We Live

Ever since the dawn of the industrial revolution, it has been the organizing principle of society -- people are what they do, defined by their corporate labels. But the modern corporation has begun its death march. There are 25 million free agents -- entrepreneurs, independent contractors, free-lancers, and temps. In this landmark book, trend-watcher Daniel H. Pink shows why those numbers are growing exponentially. He tells readers who free agents are, how they will impact the economy, and why the laws must be rethought to accommodate the new paradigm. He also asks what happens when life no longer revolves around the job, when people are not tethered to a single location or identity. The answers will surprise all. Widely acclaimed for its engaging style and provocative perspective, this book has helped thousands transform their working lives — Now including a 30-page resource guide that explains the basics of working for oneself. It's about fulfillment. A revolution is sweeping America. On its front lines are people fed up with unfulfilling jobs, dysfunctional workplaces, and dead-end careers. Meet today's new economic icon: the free agent-men and women who are working for themselves. And meet your future. It's about freedom. Free agents are the marketing consultant down the street, the home-based "mompreneur," the footloose technology contractor. Already 30 million strong, these 21st-century pioneers are creating lives with more meaning-and often more money. Free Agent Nation is your ticket to this world. It's about time. Now, you can discover: The kind of free agent you can be-"soloist," "temp," or "microbusiness"-and how to launch your new career. How to get the perks you once received from your boss: health insurance, office space, training, workplace togetherness, even water cooler gossip. Why the free agent economy is increasingly a woman's world-and how women are flourishing in it. The transformation of retirement-how older workers are creating successful new businesses (and whole new lives) through the Internet. The Organization Man is history. Taking his place is America's new economic icon: the "free agent"--the job-hopping, tech-savvy, fulfillment-seeking, self-reliant, independent worker. Already 30 million strong, these new "dis-organization" men and women are transforming America in ways both profound and exhilarating. Are you ready for . . . 7 The Peter-Out Principle: Successor to the famous "Peter Principle," this new rule decrees that when the fun peters out, the talented walk out. 7 Unschooling: Individual-centered learning like homeschooling and apprenticeships will threaten Ivy League colleges and end high school as we know it. 7 Individual Public Offerings: The upper echelon of free agents will issue these new "IPOs," or stock . . . in themselves.7 E-tirement: When Americans reach age sixty-five, more will enter a new stage of life. Working as full-time, part-time, and anytime free agents, they'll be finding and executing work over the Internet.7 Just-in-time Politics: This political version of just-in-time manufacturing will challenge the present two-party system.7 The Feminine Century: Women are free agency's early adopters. Ma An analysis and prediction of the "new wave" of self-employment calls for Americans to wake up to the fact that commitment to a traditional corporate structure does not guarantee personal validation or financial security