The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors SaaStr 532: The Secrets to Scaling a Public Company with a 75% Freelancer Workforce with Upwork CEO Hayden Brown
Feb 25, 2022
Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork, shares her journey in leading a public company with 75% of its workforce made up of freelancers. She dispels common myths about freelancers, emphasizing their reliability and the ability to build a strong company culture with them. The discussion highlights practical strategies for integrating freelancers into teams, enhancing creativity, and adapting to a flexible work environment. Brown argues that incorporating freelancers can lead to a more agile and productive organization, ready to thrive in today's dynamic landscape.
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Freelancers in CX
- Upwork's CX team, composed of 95% freelancers, boasts an attrition rate of less than 5%.
- This defies the myth that freelancers are unreliable, demonstrating their commitment and integration within the company's culture.
Freelancers in Product Development
- Upwork utilizes over 350 freelance developers for core product development, including mobile and web apps.
- A freelancer even suggested a feature that significantly boosted conversions in a new product.
Freelancers in Marketing
- Upwork leveraged freelance talent in marketing, including Hollywood producers and ad agency professionals.
- This allowed them to rebrand and change 900 marketing assets in half the time compared to using solely in-house staff.