Elance-oDesk Relaunches as Upwork, Debuts New Freelance Talent Platform

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Upwork ushers in a new chapter of online work, making it easier for businesses to find talent quickly — aims at real-time hiring and collaboration

Elance-oDesk, the world’s largest freelance talent marketplace, today relaunched with a new name, Upwork, and a new freelance talent platform, also called Upwork. Talent, like software before it, is shifting online. As the online work market leader, Upwork is the driving force behind the reimagination of work and represents a new chapter of innovation. As part of the new Upwork platform, the company also debuted new features aimed at connecting businesses with great talent faster than ever (within minutes).

There is a global talent pool for businesses to tap into

In the U.S. alone, 53 million professionals freelanced last year1. Globally, independent professionals are earning more than $1 trillion per year2. “There is literally an earth-sized talent pool of freelance professionals out there, and yet most businesses still limit their thinking to rigid local hiring models,” said Stephane Kasriel, CEO at Upwork. “Upwork’s launch signals a new chapter of work in which people are able to hire quality talent — regardless of where the professional happens to be — in minutes. Freelancers were already earning $1 billion annually via Elance-oDesk — I predict they will earn $10 billion annually via Upwork within six years.”

New Upwork freelance talent platform makes finding quality talent online easier

“Hiring is one of the most important things a business does, and yet it’s also the hardest and most time-consuming. Upwork’s new platform will radically disrupt hiring norms, making it much easier to hire a proven, high-quality freelancer quickly as well as to collaborate with them after the hire,” said Hayden Brown, VP of Product Management at Upwork.

Highlights of the new Upwork platform’s innovation include:

Faster hiring – Traditionally it took around three weeks to hire. Upwork’s innovations will make it possible to hire in minutes or less by factoring in availability and immediacy of response (i.e., is the freelancer available to engage in a chat-like interview instantly?) when finding freelancers. To do this the platform utilizes:

Enhanced matching algorithms developed by Upwork’s team of Stanford PhDs.

A new work status feature allowing freelancers to set their availability (“Right away,” “Later” or “Not looking”).

Upwork’s new mobile app, from which it’s possible to post jobs, submit proposals, review applicants and contract on the fly – enabling hires to be made from devices in minutes.

Real-time group collaboration – Upwork also includes a new real-time group collaboration tool that is similar to Slack but completely free and available to anyone on the web with no limitations (users don’t have to be an Upwork customer otherwise). These new features enable immediate collaboration after a hire, allowing clients to file share and communicate with their new workers instantaneously. Support for video and integrations with popular tools such as GitHub, Google Drive and Jira are also expected later in 2015.

Upwork launch disrupts hiring norms and represents a new chapter of online work

The launch of Upwork comes two weeks after announcing the promotion of Stephane Kasriel, previously the company’s top tech executive, to chief executive officer. Kasriel led a global team of 300+ engineers, designers and programmers — many of whom are freelancers hired from the company’s own marketplace — to create the new Upwork platform.

Businesses are already posting more than 3 million freelance jobs and conducting 100 million searches annually on the Elance and oDesk platforms.

“Though we are already the largest freelance talent marketplace — with $1B in freelancer earnings annually and the first online marketplace large enough to qualify for a ranking of top U.S. staffing and talent engagement firms — enormous market opportunity remains, and we decided it’s time to up the ante. This new platform will make hiring near-instant, which is a radical reimagination of work,” said Kasriel.

“This has implications not only for the way people work, but for the job market itself. Reduce the friction in a job market and you open up more opportunity,” said John Horton, Assistant Professor of Information, Operations and Management Sciences at NYU Stern School of Business and former Staff Economist at oDesk.

There have been three chapters of work’s shift online:

Chapter 1 (2000). Resumes and job classifieds move online

Sites moved job-related content online. Job boards (such as Monster.com and Craigslist) and professional profile sites (such as LinkedIn) made information more readily available, but didn’t provide clear indication of whether professionals were currently motivated to find work. They also focused on traditional hiring of full time, on-premise employees.

Chapter 2 (2005 – 2015). Online workplaces launch

Sites such as Elance.com and oDesk.com launched and — in addition to providing job listings, profiles and other context needed for hiring — enabled the actual work to happen online, thereby reducing dependencies on physical location and opening up a broader talent pool. These sites disrupted traditional hiring models and empowered flexible work by enabling clients to connect with motivated independent professionals actively looking for freelance work.

Chapter 3 (2015 – future). Online work goes real-time 

Upwork represents a new chapter in which real-time hiring will be realistic for businesses. Traditionally it took around three weeks to hire; now, Upwork is at an average of three days to hire, and within the year it will be possible to hire in minutes or less. With a clear indication of the best professional actively available across a global talent pool, the biggest barriers to hiring — bandwidth and availability of specific skills — will disappear.

“This chapter will deliver the increased opportunity that comes with less job market friction to both clients and independent professionals. We are a company that will be around in 100 years. Upwork’s launch up-levels our innovation as we lead the online work industry into a new chapter,” said Kasriel.

About Upwork

Upwork is the world’s largest freelance talent marketplace. As an increasingly connected and independent workforce goes online, knowledge work —like software, shopping and content before it— is shifting online as well. This shift is making it faster and easier for clients to connect and work with talent in near real-time and is freeing professionals everywhere from having to work at a set time and place.

Freelancers are earning more than $1 billion annually via Upwork. Upwork is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in San Francisco, California, and Oslo, Norway.

For more information, visit our website at www.upwork.com, join us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Cotton Council International (CCI) launches new brand identity

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Cotton Council International (CCI), the marketing and promotions arm of the United States cotton industry, has formally re-launched its 26-year old flagship brand, COTTON USA, in the Philippines. 

Since 1989, over 50,000 product lines and three billion products have proudly carried the name COTTON USA. This translates into about 100 million bales of cotton spun, woven, cut, sewn, and enjoyed by people all over the world.

Cotton Council International ASEAN Representative Kraipob Pangsapa recently flew to Manila to officially launch the new COTTON USA Mark here. With him is Dr. Ana Palabyab-Rufino who discussed the importance of using natural fibers such as cotton in our everyday wear, especially for babies, during the event. Cotton being non-irritant, breathable, and safe, she added, may help prevent skin conditions such as contact dermatitis.

“Our brand has been highly successful,” CCI President Dahlen Hancock said.

“However, the global marketplace has changed dramatically and has become more competitive because petroleum-based fibers are often cheaper. The new generation of consumers needs to hear why cotton is such a wonderful product and why U.S. cotton is the premier cotton for textile and garment manufacturers and consumers, especially families.”

In the Philippines, the COTTON USA Mark was introduced to garment manufacturers and consumers in 1994. The Mark, often displayed on garments and merchandizing shelves, has been a symbol that assured Filipinos that the items being purchased were 100 percent cotton, 50 percent of which was cotton sourced from the United States of America.

To date, CCI has 19 licensees divided into six categories – women’s wear, men’s wear, men’s innerwear, children’s wear, home textiles and personal care – in the country.

The benefits of cotton on skin

Cotton is a common fabric that makes up our everyday wear and clothing needs from innerwear, shirts, jeans, towels, and bed sheets. It is a natural fiber preferred especially for babies because it rarely causes allergic reactions to the skin, preventing irritation and excessive sweating.

Dermatologist Dr. Anna Palabyab-Rufino echoed the importance of using natural fibers like cotton to help prevent more complex skin conditions like textile contact dermatitis. 

“When choosing clothes, one should not just consider the aesthetic aspect. You should feel comfortable and pleasant when the fabric touches your skin,” she said.

Dr. Rufino added that choosing non-irritant, absorbent, breathable, easy-to-wash, and natural fabrics is one way of preventing or treating these skin manifestations. In comparison, synthetic fabrics may contain formaldehyde finishing resins, dyes, glues, chemical additives and tanning agents that can be harmful to the skin. 

U.S. Cotton – purity, quality and responsibility 

In addition to a new logo, the re-launch includes a revitalized brand vision emphasizing three key attributes that set U.S. cotton apart from others – purity, quality and responsibility. Further, new promotional and merchandising tools will be rolled out in stages globally over the next year. 

Purity 

U.S. cotton is shipped pure from the field. It’s clean, non-irritating, and safe. It is the standard by which all other fibers are measured.

Quality

U.S. cotton producers take meticulous care to produce high quality U.S. cotton. Cotton grown with care is soft and white, but it takes hard work, sophisticated technology, and true craftsmanship to bring out the very best in nature. COTTON USA licensees use U.S. cotton to manufacture high quality apparels and home textiles.

Responsibility

From U.S. cotton producers to manufacturers, they are dedicated to creating a better world. Since 1980 to 2011, as result of continuous improvement, U.S. cotton producers significantly reduced five resources to produce cotton fiber. Land use has been reduced by 30 percent, soil erosion by 68 percent, irrigation water applied by 75 percent, energy use by 31 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent. And, at the end of its journey, U.S. cotton is biodegradable and can be safely returned to earth.

In conjunction with the National Cotton Council, CCI works to promote U.S. cotton exports through COTTON USA in more than 50 countries globally, including the Philippines. With offices in Washington, Memphis, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Shanghai and dedicated representatives in numerous other countries, CCI plays the lead role in educating and strengthening the market for U.S. cotton and U.S. cotton products around the world. 

For more information on CCI, please visit www.cottonusa.org.

Laguna Water wins World Bank-PPIAF PPP Competition

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Laguna Water, the biggest water service provider in Laguna, was hailed as the Case Study Category Winner of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Short Stories Competition organized by the World Bank Group and the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), which recognizes innovative ideas for increasing private sector participation in infrastructure in developing countries. 

The Manila Water subsidiary’s case study, “Alternative PPP Model: The Laguna Water Story,” examines how Manila Water through a joint venture with the Provincial Government of Laguna has significantly improved access to clean, safe, and reliable 24/7 piped water in the cities of Binan, Cabuyao, and Sta. Rosa since it took over operations in 2009. From only 14 % service coverage six years ago, Laguna Water now supplies 120 million liters of potable water per day to 62% of the service area. The company has also lowered systems losses due to leakage and pilferages from a high 48% to 12%, and has prioritized water provision and income generating programs for the low-income communities in the Province.

The entry was evaluated and selected by a judging committee composed of independent panel of global PPP experts looking for innovative solutions and best practices for developing and implementing PPPs, who found the Laguna Water Story to be very compelling on how an innovative solution was set up in the Philippines to help leverage PPP projects in water infrastructure. 

The competition received 153 submissions from students and practitioners in over 50 countries around the world, and included examples of innovative PPPs in emerging markets across a broad range of sectors, such as transport, water, energy, and health. A number of factors were considered, ranging from the identification of actionable ideas, replication potential, and relevance to the World Bank Group’s twin goals — ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity.

Reliving the Charm of a Truly Intimate Escape

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This is a photo composite of Mahogany and Linden Towers against the Tagaytay Highlands landscape. Surrounded by ridges, aromatic trees and undulating hills of Tagaytay lies Woodridge Place, a Colorado-inspired condominium development providing the comforts of a fast-paced life, yet in a much more natural and peaceful setting.

As Tagaytay Highlands continues to redefine luxury mountain resort living, it offers yet another innovative project where families may live with only the finest things in life – the Woodridge Place.

The Woodridge Place, which is only 70-minute drive from Metro Manila, is a 9-building condominium development inspired by the architectural design of the mountain resorts and ski lodges in Colorado, USA. It is located at 1,715 feet above sea level in Tagaytay that gives you unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauties.

“Woodridge Place perfectly shows sophistication in the countryside. Most people would think that to be able to have a true sense of serenity, you need to go to the farthest places and leave the comforts of modern life behind.”, said Ms. Lennie A. Mendoza, Senior Vice President.

Tagaytay Highlands continues to redefine luxury mountain resort living as it offers more and more innovative projects like the Woodridge Place where families can live with the finest things in life.

Live your life at the top, literally and figuratively. The last two buildings – namely Mahogany and Linden – are oriented on an east-west axis which allows smooth passage of natural daylight and mountain breeze. Both buildings have 11 residential floors where units’ sizes vary from one-bedroom to four-bedroom that are carefully planned and designed with the client’s comfort and convenience in mind. Each unit has large picture windows that allow homeowners to witness nature’s everyday miracle.

This photo is just a representation of the architectural theme of Woodridge place. 1,715 feet above sea level lies Linden and Mahogany Towers, Colorado-inspired condominium buildings that offer first-class facilities and services.

The two buildings also share a viewing deck that can be used as an activity area for intimate group soirees. Families may go on picnics or strolls in the two pocket parks on bright sunny days. Designed to provide first-class amenities and unparalleled services, Tagaytay Highlands is also home to the first and only Swiss Cable Car System in the country, the funicular train, and two world-class golf courses.

Truly the perfect place to relax and unwind, Woodridge Place brings families together and gives a whole new meaning to countryside living.

Fuel up to help drive public senior high school learning

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By fuelling up in participating Caltex stations from June 15 to July 15, motorists can help provide vital teaching equipment to the highest-need public senior high schools in Metro Manila. For every four-liter fuel purchase, Caltex will donate P1 to fund classroom projects submitted by teachers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The Caltex Fuel Your School (CYFS) program will help STEM educators more effectively teach their students who will be among the first batches of grades 11 and 12 in the country.

Photo above shows staff at Caltex station inviting motorists to support and promote CYFS by posting and sharing online to their Facebook friends. 

CFYS is part of the Caltex Energy for Learning Initiative, which supports educational programs that help individuals to acquire knowledge and gain new skills. CYFS is supported by the Department of Education and the American Chamber Foundation as partners.

For more information about CYFS, visit http://www.caltex.com/ph/fuelyourschool or Caltex Philippines Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaltexPhilippines .

About Chevron Philippines Inc.

Chevron Philippines Inc. has been operating in the country for more than 90 years. Caltex, its retail brand, offers high quality products and services. There are close to 700 service stations strategically scattered throughout the Philippine archipelago and employees working in several areas of business such as Marketing, Lubricants and Terminal operations. The Chevron products that are available in the Philippines include Caltex with Techron fuel and Caltex Diesel with TechronD, Havoline and Delo oils. More information on Chevron Philippines Inc. is available at www.caltex.com/ph.