Are you currently considering hiring digital nomads for your team? Digital nomads are highly adaptable, fully immersed in technology, and can offer a valuable perspective to your business. However, before making the decision to hire them, it's important to consider a few key factors.
With the rise of remote work, digital nomads have become increasingly prevalent. These individuals work remotely while traveling to different locations, embracing new cultures, and experiencing unique opportunities. It's estimated that there are currently 35 million digital nomads worldwide, and this number is expected to continue to grow as more people transition to remote work.
In this blog, we will discuss six key aspects you need to consider in order to prepare your accounting firm for hiring digital nomads.
What are Digital Nomads?
We have already talked about how digital nomads are transforming the accounting industry. In this opportunity, we are addressing the specific aspect you need to consider before adding digital nomads to your in-house team. And in order to do that, we need to understand what they are and how they work.
Digital nomads are individuals who work remotely while traveling to different locations worldwide, leveraging technology to stay connected and work from anywhere. They often move from one place to another every few weeks or months and aim to experience the world while working. To fully understand what type of workers they are, it's important to consider the top reasons why they choose this lifestyle:
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73% want a better work-life balance
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68% love the freedom of the lifestyle
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55% love to travel
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43% want to avoid office politics
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37% have a desire to explore other cultures
(Source: Two Tickets Anywhere)
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When hiring digital nomads, it's important to keep in mind that they value their personal life, mental health, and passion-driven lifestyle. Therefore, you should not expect the typical 9-5 professional with 20 years of experience, but rather a creative, adaptable, and self-sufficient workers.
Six Things Every Manager Should Know Before Hiring Digital Nomads
Expect younger workers
Digital nomads are mostly in their 20s to late 30s. While it's possible to find some digital nomads over 40, they're relatively rare. As a result, you should anticipate hiring younger workers with less experience instead of someone with over 20 years of experience.
They all are digital natives
Digital nomads are tech-savvy individuals who are comfortable with technology and use various tools to work remotely. They're familiar with communication tools like Slack, Trello, and Asana, and they're always on the lookout for new tools that can make their work more efficient. This can save you time and money in training and skills ramp-up.
They're constantly changing time zones
One of the most significant challenges of working with digital nomads is that they're always on the move. They're continuously traveling to different locations, and this means that they'll constantly change time zones. This isn’t necessarily a downside, as new technologies are available 24/7 and facilitate asynchronous work, but you should expect some scheduling challenges when working with them.
They'll need a flexible schedule
Because of their constant traveling and changing time zones, digital nomads will need a flexible schedule. They may need to work odd hours or have a different work schedule than your team. As a result, many companies have the wrong impression that digital nomads might work fewer hours or be less content. On the contrary, digital nomads often work longer hours than traditional office workers, with the average workweek being around 43 hours. To avoid burnout and excessive workload, you should be prepared to accommodate their needs and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
You might have technical and communication issues
Working with digital nomads can come with some technical and communication issues. Because they're constantly traveling, they may not always have access to reliable internet or communication tools. Internet stability varies around the world, but it's important to remember that digital nomads are already aware of this.
Good remote workers and digital nomads will go the extra mile to find a good connection and even get ahead of work offline. Anticipate some communication challenges and be prepared to find alternative solutions, but also trust them to resolve issues on their own.
They'll adjust to technological shifts
Digital nomads are used to adapting to new environments, and this includes technological shifts. They're always on the lookout for new tools and technologies that can make their work more efficient. As a result, you should anticipate that they'll adjust to any technological changes your team makes. Also, stay open to suggestions and creative thinking from these workers, you might learn something new.
Should I Hire Remote Workers Rather Than Digital Nomads?
While working with digital nomads can be exciting and rewarding, it's not for everyone. If you're not prepared to deal with the challenges that come with working with digital nomads, you might want to consider hiring remote workers instead. Remote workers work from home or a fixed location, and they don't travel as much as digital nomads. However, they still offer the benefits of remote work, such as flexibility and increased productivity.
Before hiring digital nomads, make sure you're prepared to deal with the challenges that come with working with them. Be flexible, adaptable, and prepared to find alternative solutions when needed. With the right mindset and preparation, working with digital nomads can be a valuable addition to your team.
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Kevin Mitchell, CPA
Senior Manager and CPA with over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial services, specializing in risk management and regulatory compliance. Skilled in managing audits and leading teams to deliver exceptional services. Proud father of two.
References:
Number of digital nomads in the U.S. 2022 | Statista. (n.d.). Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1298313/number-digital-nomads-united-states/
Digital Nomad Statistics: How Big Is The Nomad Movement? (2022, August 25). Two Tickets Anywhere. https://www.twoticketsanywhere.com/digital-nomad-statistics/
