We’ve seen the rise of the freelancer, the gig mum, and the remote worker – now meet the digital nomad, a new kind of worker that’s changing the way we think about careers and travel. What is remote work in today’s business world, and how are digital nomads shaping the location-independent landscape?
What do Digital Nomads Do?
What is a digital nomad? Simply put, these are people who don’t rely on one specific location (like a workplace or home office) to do their job; instead, they use technology and connectivity to complete their tasks as they travel and explore new countries. They work remotely and can telecommute from anywhere around the globe, providing they have reliable Internet access to keep them in contact with their employers or clients.
Digital nomads typically work in fields like design, marketing, development, content creation, media, consulting and online tutoring. It’s been predicted that the number of digital nomads will reach 1 billion by the year 2035.
An Increase in Productivity
It’s not all lazing on the beach sipping Pina Coladas – digital nomads put in hard work in exchange for their jet-setting lifestyle.
A recent Stanford University study showed that remote workers were 13% more productive than in-office workers, and took fewer sick days. A Coso Cloud study also revealed that 23% of remote workers are willing to put in extra hours to finish their tasks.
Digital Nomads and the UK Job Market
A recent Joblift study revealed that vacancies for digital nomads have increased by 8% month-on-month in the UK, at four times the rate of the country’s job market. So, while remote working positions being offered currently account for just 0.03% of the UK job market, they are steadily rising.
The majority of the available positions are geared towards developers and programmers, at 20%. Consultant positions were the second-most requested, at 8%. Data entry processors followed this at 6%, sales managers at 4% and help desk staff at 3%.
Remote Working in the USA
Location-independent working is also growing in popularity across the pond. A survey of 1202 full-time workers in the US showed that 62% work remotely at least part of the time, compared to 38% always working on-site.
42% of the remote workers surveyed said they plan to work remotely more frequently, and 51% of on-site workers said they wanted to start working remotely. An impressive 83% of respondents said that the option to work remotely would make them happier.
Industries Adapting to the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
- Office space: Digital nomads are on the lookout for highly flexible, short-term workspace options that provide them with a productive environment without tying them into a traditional workspace lease. Virtual offices or a hot desk in a coworking space is the perfect solution, and there has been an increase in fully connected and equipped coworking spaces in key locations around the world to cater to these frequent travellers.
- Insurance: A growing number of travel insurance companies now offer packages tailored to digital nomads. Benefits can range from international healthcare plans to cover for valuables like laptops and cameras or accident insurance for those who enjoy extreme sports and adventure activities.
- Data: Digital nomads need access to reliable high-speed Internet on the move. More companies today are offering international data plans for smartphones, tablets and laptops. Services like Google Fi and Sprint Global Roaming are fast becoming the norm.
- Banking: Traditional banking doesn’t work for digital nomads – trying to regulate earnings and taxes can be a real headache when travelling between countries and earning from clients in multiple currencies. Services like Curve are making life easier for digital nomads, and cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin are helping travellers to cut through a lot of the red tape around international payments.
Shared Office Space for Remote Workers
As the modern workforce shifts and more people explore how to be a digital nomad, office space choice is changing significantly. The rise of coworking spaces across the world means digital nomads will always find themselves conveniently close to a meeting space or board room when needed, with access to excellent connectivity and business amenities.
Q&A With Digital Nomads
Instant spoke to Jade Sarkhel and Richard Maule, two digital nomads from London currently based in Bali. Jade gave up a lucrative income as one of the top food photographers in London to run a boutique digital marketing agency remotely from the Tropics, and her fiance Richard runs life coaching sessions internationally via Zoom. Both spend mornings surfing, doing yoga and meeting friends, while the rest of their time is spent working.
Are you more productive as a digital nomad?
We 100% feel we are more productive, but it takes commitment! The quote “work expands to fill the time available” seems to apply to us when we were working our 9-5 jobs in the city. If you’re working for another company as a digital nomad, then it’s likely that you’ll make sure you get all your work done in the shortest time possible, therefore making you a lot more efficient. As a digital nomad business owner, it requires a lot of discipline and self-made structure to ensure you remain productive!
We both use productivity tools to keep ourselves focused on what matters. Rich swears by using the bullet journal – a tool actually developed by a guy that had ADHD to help him concentrate. I use a time blocking method, where each item on my to-do list has an allocated time slot in my outlook calendar to make sure it all gets done. Without these tools, it can be pretty tempting to sit in front of our laptops and watch Family Guy all day!
What tools couldn’t you live without?
Laptop, headphones and a journal for the creative ideas! That’s it. We’ve turned into minimalists so we can travel light – it’s liberating!
Which environments are best to work in?
This really comes down to the person. I’m used to working in busy, vibrant places as I get good energy from it, and it keeps me focused, while Rich prefers a quiet space with little distractions. Working from home allows him to have undisturbed sessions with his clients and to move around, do some exercise, jump in the pool during breaks and have more variety to break up the work hours. Cafes are great to work from, but it can be a little tricky if you want to make a call or if you need to leave your stuff to go to the toilet!
From bustling European cities to idyllic beachside locations, there’s no limit to where the digital nomad lifestyle can take you – discover coworking spaces in key locations around the world.
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