In this episode, MBO Partners' Founder and Executive Chairman Gene Zaino shares MBO’s origin story, what impact the landmark State of Independence report had on the future of work, and what he sees as the challenges and benefits of this important sector of the economy going forward. Gene walks through the choices in early adulthood that led to his entrepreneurial career and how he buttressed those experiences with education and a stint in an enterprise consulting firm that taught him what the client side of the industry needed.

Gene also shares his insights about the what the future of independent economy looks like—how the knowledge worker will productize their intellectual property in the “maker economy” and how all future workers will need to be set up as an independent entity with an “Iron Man” suit providing the tools to adapt to changing landscapes.

He also discusses how reducing friction in the relationships between independent professionals and the organizations that want to work with them will require not only regulation but also a deeper understanding of the rewards that each side of the industry stand to gain in terms of agility and flexibility. 

The conversation highlights some of the insights in the 2020 State of Independence in America report. Now in its tenth year of publication, the report takes a data-driven approach to understanding the growth of opportunities for both the independent professional and the enterprise organizations looking to hire them. Future episodes of this podcast will provide further insights on the report’s findings. 

About This Episode’s Guest

Gene Zaino is MBO Partners’ Founder and Executive Chairman. An avid entrepreneur and nationally recognized expert in the next way of working, Gene launched MBO Partners to reinvent the way independent consultants and organizations work together. He’s a passionate advocate for the independent workforce movement, and is committed to developing the best practices and engagement tools that support workplace independence. In addition to being a member of the Staffing Industry Analyst's "Hall of Fame,” Gene has been on all five Staffing Industry 100 lists, is an in-demand speaker, and has appeared on CNN and CNBC, as well as in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and The Wall Street Journal.   Mentioned in this episode: The End of Jobs: The Rise of On-Demand Workers and Agile Corporations by Jeff Wald. 

About MBO Partners®

MBO Partners is a deep jobs platform that connects and enables independent professionals and microbusiness owners to do business safely and effectively with enterprise organizations. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate on the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working.  For more information, visit​ mbopartners.com.

Episode hosted by Aassia Haq; produced, edited, and engineered by Leslie Jennings Rowley. With music by Brian Burrows.

MBO Partners © 2020