(Bloomberg View) — On-demand companies are known for using technology to match service providers with customers who need things like taxi rides, housecleaners and couriers. But these companies aren't just for concierge-type services.

Some startups are trying to usher white-collar workers into the on-demand economy as employees, rather than as customers. If these companies succeed, it could be an interesting development in the contract labor debate that has been sparked by the advent and rapid adoption of on-demand services.

Last week, a former PayPal and Microsoft executive, Rakesh Agrawal, introduced redesign|mobile, a web-based marketplace for skilled labor. Agrawal once worked for the expert network Pacific Crest Securities as a contractor who hopped on the phone to explain certain tech topics to hedge funds and mutual-fund managers.

Continue Reading for Free

Register and gain access to:

  • Breaking benefits news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
  • Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
  • Critical converage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Broker Innovation Lab