January 10, 2008
CONTENTS -- IN THE BULLETIN THIS
WEEK:
-
EDITOR'S NOTE - What's on
Mike's mind this
week?
-
NEWS, INTERVIEWS &
INFORMATION - The latest from the telework arena.
-
QUOTE OF THE WEEK - Words of
wisdom that caught
our eye.
-
SCREENED JOB LEADS - The
nuggets our research
team mined for you this week!
-
TERMS & GUARANTEES -
The "fine print."
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Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Jan. 10, 2008 edition of the “Rat Race
Rebellion Telework Bulletin.”
This week we bring you breaking news from the virtual call
center arena, the latest small-business trends, disturbing news from
India, and a host of hirers, including American
Express, WellPoint,
Aetna and a number of
smaller firms.
Good luck!
Michael
Michael D. Haaren, Editor-in-Chief
The Rat Race Rebellion Telework Bulletin
P.S. -
Until next week’s
issue, you’ll find more screened job leads every day at Rat
Race Rebellion.com, at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/job_postings.htm
. The jobs listed in
this Bulletin are withheld from the website for a full week, to give
readers an edge.
Back to top
VIRTUAL CALL CENTER LIVEOPS REPORTS RECORD GROWTH, ON TRACK FOR
20,000 HOME-BASED AGENTS BY EARLY ’08 -- “Hiring Spree” in Houston, Texas
Leading
US
call center firm LiveOps, which provides customer service support to eBay,
Kodak, Pizza Hut and similar clients, announced record growth this week, boosting
revenue by almost 70% in 2007 and heading for 20,000 agents by the first
quarter of 2008.
“LiveOps is helping enterprises leverage the power of
on-demand contact center applications, combined with the quality of home agents
to bring flexibility and rapid scalability into the contact centers of the 21st
century,” said LiveOps CEO Maynard Webb. (Webb was formerly the Chief Operating
Officer at eBay.)
The company has received some $40M in venture funding, which
gave it a significant “war chest” in the highly competitive call center arena.
Some FAQs About LiveOps Agents
LiveOps agents are independent contractors (aka
“freelancers”) rather than employees. (For now, the company hires only in the
US.) To
help LiveOps stay within US Internal Revenue Service definitions of
“independent contractor” status (see links at end of this article), agents must
set up a “business entity” before contracting with the company. According to
the company’s website, this entity can be a sole proprietorship (the simplest
form), a limited liability company or LLC, etc.
Once the legal entity is in place, and the agent is hired:
“Agents invoice LiveOps at a rate that is based on minutes
of talk time. This rate can vary by the type and complexity of calls. Agents
also earn additional incentives for selling certain products or adding certain
products to orders. Agent fees typically range from $6.50 an hour for newer
agents to $15.00 and up per hour for skilled agents.”
As with other jobs in the virtual call center arena, the hiring
process is very competitive. According to a recent article in Customer
Interaction Solutions magazine (see link below), LiveOps receives 3,500
applications weekly, and only the top 5% are chosen. Hint: People with a sales
background and Spanish-language skills may have an edge.
“Hiring Spree in Houston,
Texas”
“LiveOps is on a hiring spree, ramping up to handle all the
calls for exercise machines and diet plans from viewers trying to live up to
their New Year's resolutions,” according to a recent piece in the Houston
Chronicle.
“’LiveOps would like to add 200 agents to the 180 who are
already working in Houston,’ said Tim Whipple, vice president of the virtual
call center, whose clients include the sellers of Ronco knives and rotisserie
ovens, Hip Hop Abs fitness program, WalkFit shoe inserts and the Whitney
Education Group's program on foreclosure investing.”
If you live in the
Houston
area and decide to give it a shot, good luck!
Links for further reference:
-- LiveOps FAQ page:
http://www.liveops.com/answer_agents_faq.html
-- Which virtual call centers hire employees, rather than
independent contractors?
http://www.ratracerebellion.com/CS_Comparison.html
-- IRS guidelines on independent contractors vs. employees:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1779.pdf
-- Article on LiveOps in Customer Interaction Solutions
magazine:
http://tinyurl.com/27vtm8
-- Article on “Houston Hiring Spree”:
http://tinyurl.com/36og5d (Article also
mentions two agents in
Georgia
who have sued LiveOps, arguing that they are employees rather than independent
contractors, and therefore entitled to minimum wage.)
-- Supplementary article on the home-based agent hiring
process generally:
http://tinyurl.com/yt3o28
“DOING BUSINESS FROM ANYWHERE” IS A LEADING SMALL BUSINESS
TREND, SAYS USA
TODAY
Here, we’ve been swimming in the “virtual work” movement
since the 1990s, and can say straight away that the developed economies are
steadily, if unevenly, heading toward a “do business from anywhere” model.
(Does it apply to every sector? No. No “virtual pizzas,”
“virtual oil changes” or “virtual plastic surgery” anytime soon…. although some
celebrities may appear to have opted for that last virtual service.)
In any case, a recent USA Today article summed up what’s
happening in the
US,
naming worksite mobility as the second largest trend in small business today.
“This also means flex-time, job-sharing, outsourcing, working from home,
working on the road, virtual offices, virtual companies -- the options seem to
grow with every innovation.”
The article also mentions Virtual Assistants, who occupy a
special place in the hearts here at Staffcentrix, with Chris having founded the
industry in 1995. “VAs” have lately seen increased media exposure from the buzz
surrounding Timothy Ferriss’ bestselling book, “The 4-Hour Workweek,” which is
also mentioned in the piece. Ferriss reportedly outsources many of his tasks to
Virtual Assistants, and recommends them in his book.
For the USA Today item, by Steve Strauss, see
http://tinyurl.com/2mpg6s .
“OUTSOURCED WOMBS”
According to a recent New York Times article with the above
title, outsourcing has reached truly unusual proportions, with women in
India now serving
as surrogate mothers for American eggs. The women reportedly earn
$6,000-$10,000 per birth (vs. as much as $80,000 in the
US), “the
equivalent of 10 to 15 years of normal income” where they live.
The article is online at
http://tinyurl.com/yrqcs5
.
Needless to say, this is a very controversial practice. We
reserve comment, but if you have thoughts on the subject you’d like to share, we’ll
be happy to publish them here as space permits. Just forward them to me at
mhaaren@staffcentrix.com . (Please
indicate if you would like your name withheld.)
TIME-MANAGEMENT AND OTHER WEBSITES FOR BUSY FOLKS
As we wander around the Net like a herd of Webkinz animals,
we often come across sites for busy people. Here are a few that might interest
you, in no special order. (We haven’t tried ‘em, I should add, just walked into
‘em.)
--
http://www.xpenser.com
(Record expenses from anywhere, by cell phone, browser, etc.)
--
http://www.rememberthemilk.com
(Manage your tasks, and “never forget the milk again.”)
--
http://www.google.com/intl/en/googlecalendar/tour.html
(Google’s calendar and reminder service.)
--
http://www.30boxes.com/welcome.php
(Another online calendar, “available on your phone, too.”)
--
http://www.recommendr.com/
(“Ask a shopping question, get answers from real people.”)
FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING
Here are this week’s websites and tips to help keep things
down-to-earth, and less tied to the old credit card. (By the way, why don’t we
rename “credit” cards debt cards, and get rid of the euphemism? “Would you like
to pay for this with your debt card?” sure has a different ring!)
-- Make musical instruments for kids from things around the
house:
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalcrafts/musicalinstruments.htm
-- A tip for saving on yarn, from “North of the Border --
Miserly Musings,” by Pat Mestern: “If you like to knit but cannot afford the
price of yarn, visit a few stores that sell clean used clothing for hand-knit
sweaters. Salvage the yarn by ripping the discarded sweater apart.” Pat
recommends washing the yarn in warm, soapy water, and drying it on a tree or
other handy hanger. For more of her tips, see
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/000320c.cfm
.
Freebies:
--
http://tinyurl.com/27hpks
(Quaker cereal and granola bar samples; “US only”)
--
http://tinyurl.com/234a4f
(Hamburger Helper microwave macaroni, stroganoff, lasagna; “US only”)
--
http://tinyurl.com/ya7jwr
(Greenies teeth-cleaning chews for dogs; see link for cats, too; “US only”)
--
http://www.truelemon.com/sample.html
(Crystallized lemon, lime and orange “taste substitutes” [We’re not big on substitutes,
but these might be handy in some cases.] “US and
Canada”)
FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME,
AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS
DEAR R3: I’m 58 and have worked in the HR department for the
same company for 12 years. However, I’m afraid that my salary is making me a
target for replacement by a younger employee. Do you think I could do freelancing
on the side, in addition to my job, and maybe build myself some protection in
case I’m fired?
R3: Of course, if your work, commuting and family schedule
permit it. (Naturally, be sure to discuss your plans with your family before
taking any action, as their lives will be affected by your decision, too. Any
home-based business always carries family ramifications, and demands family
adjustments.) HR assistance is in strong demand right now, particularly for
those with recruiting experience. Resume writing, too, is a healthy specialty.
Amazon abounds in titles for prospective freelancers
(including our very own “The 2-Second Commute”), and if you keep an eye on
expenses, your primary “risk” -- assuming your employer would have no objection
to your sideline -- will be time.
One final word of advice: Market, market, market your
expertise. Even mediocre skills coupled with an effective marketing plan will
trump exceptional skills and poor marketing. Unfurl your sails, batten down the
hatches, and set… sale!
Back
to top
“Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.” -- William Hazlitt
*Editor’s
Note: All positions are screened, but we can’t of
course “guarantee” the legitimacy of any hirer or
lead, so please do your own
‘due diligence’ as well! All positions are paid
unless otherwise noted. The
amount of compensation is included in the summary when given in the
underlying
lead.
Also,
please note that on occasion the hirer will decide to change
the description or the availability of the job or project shortly AFTER
the
summary is published here. (Unfortunately, we have no control over
this.)
Therefore, be sure to read the underlying ad carefully, and apply
promptly for
any job that interests you.
||||| 1. Counselor -- Specialized Corporate Travel for
American Express (
US)
|||||
American Express seeks a full-time Counsleor -- Specialized
Corporate Travel to provide “best in class travel services to our new Global
customer including timely and accurate completion of travel arrangements both
domestic and international.”
Must have extensive corporate travel experience, knowledge
of SABRE, and “reside outside of a 50 mile radius of any American Express BTSC.”
=> Learn More:
http://tinyurl.com/ywxut7 <=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 2. Spanish Language Editor |||||
US-based InterLingua seeks a Spanish Language Editor to work
with Spanish translators in the
US
and
Latin America.
“Projects we work on range anywhere from a one page letter
from a doctor to a patient, to book-length educational materials for students
that do not speak/read English.”
Requirements include excellent Spanish skills and ability to
work in a team environment.
=> Learn More:
http://journalism.berkeley.edu/jobs/details.php?cat=misc&ID=6256
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 3. Home & Garden Bloggers |||||
Blog aggregator Content Quake seeks Home & Garden
Bloggers. Pays per post.
=> Learn More:
http://contentquake.com/blog-jobs/
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 4. E-Health Project Consultant for
Aetna
(*US) |||||
Aetna seeks a full-time
E-Health Project Consultant “for the deployment of Electronic Remittance Advice
(ERA's), Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT's) and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) solutions
to increase provider adoption and conversion off paper EPPS.”
Requirements include (quoted from the lead):
- Collaborates with regional/local Healthcare Delivery and
other areas.
- Contributes to the overall goals of the operating plan to
achieve Provider e.Solutions objectives.
- Contributes to efforts to achieve electronic transaction
goals specific to ERA/EFT/EOB.
- Works to increase utilization of electronic solutions by
promoting both the existing and future capabilities.
- Educates and trains Providers on the tools and
fundamentals of ERA/EFT/EOB.
Pay range $45,540 - $61,900. “This job has the option to be
a Telecommute (Work from Home) position.”
*(Editor’s Note: According to the lead, this job is “based”
in
Middletown, Connecticut, which may or may not mean that
applicants must be regional. Given the requirement of regional / local
collaboration above, however, applicants may have to make the case that such
collaboration can be done virtually, regardless of the applicant’s location.)
=> Learn More:
http://tinyurl.com/273rq2 <=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
| Advertisement |
Chris and Mike here -- Do you need writing experience to
qualify for freelance writing, blogging, proofreading, or editorial jobs? Want
to demonstrate your expertise for hiring managers or prospective clients?
If you’d like to get writing experience with an
easy-to-start blog, and be eligible for compensation while you learn, we
recommend Helium. You can choose among many popular topics, and build your
credentials while you write about what interests you.
For more, just click here.
|
||||| 5. Freelance
Reading
Language Arts Editors and Writers |||||
US-based Quarasan, which develops content for educational
publishers such as Houghton-Mifflin, is looking for Reading Language Arts
Editors and Writers for Pre-K-2 materials. Must have experience with
educational publishing and writing / editing, and “demonstrate a working
knowledge of educational pedagogy and products in Reading Language Arts.”
=> Learn More:
http://www.bookjobs.com/viewjob.php?prmJobID=1073929
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 6. Web Applications Programmer / Server Admin. for Environmental
Nonprofit |||||
US-based Environmental Working Group is looking for a
full-time Web Applications Programmer / Server Administrator “to assist with
development of EWG web properties, and to maintain and optimize its web and
mail servers.”
Ideal applicant will have “[i]ntimate knowledge of HTML,
PHP, and Javascript. Knowledge of Mac OS X Server and Client, Apache, and MySQL
administration.”
Salary $50k-$70k.
=> Learn More:
http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/257441-77
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 7. Single Parenting Blogger |||||
Blog aggregator Content Quake seeks a Blogger to cover
Single Parenting. Pays per post.
=> Learn More:
http://contentquake.com/blog-jobs/ <=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 8. Web Developer (“Anywhere”) |||||
US-based Minds on Design Lab seeks a Web Developer for short
and long projects.
“Needs include:
- Client-side web UI and AJAX development
- Content management (CMS), eCommerce, and community - systems
development/integration
- Experience in one or more of the following frameworks desirable including,
Expression Engine, CodeIgniter, and.or Drupal.”
=> Learn More:
http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/1662/
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 9. Freelance Social Studies Editors and Writers
(Pre-K-2 US materials) |||||
US-based Quarasan, which develops content for educational
publishers such as Houghton-Mifflin, is looking for Social Studies Editors and
Writers for Pre-K-2 materials.
Must have experience with educational publishing and writing
/ editing, and “demonstrate a working knowledge of educational pedagogy and
products in
Reading,
Science and Social Studies.”
=> Learn More:
http://www.bookjobs.com/viewjob.php?prmJobID=1073930
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 10. Graphics Designer |||||
Ajilon Consulting is advertising for a Graphics Designer to
help with a customer’s website. “
Applicant should have
experience with graphic design, web site design, CSS and HTML in an ASP.NET 2.0
or SharePoint server.”
=> Learn More:
http://www.datafrenzy.com/ajilon/job_details.asp?job_id=7555923
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 11. Senior User Interface Designer (“Anywhere”) |||||
Web development provider Sourcebits seeks a Senior User
Interface Designer for a Web 2.0 project. Must have a portfolio of Web 2.0
projects online and be able to create “mockups and wireframes.”
=> Learn More:
http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/1666/
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 12. ELL / ESL Editors and Writers for K-6 Materials |||||
US-based Quarasan, which develops content for educational
publishers such as Houghton-Mifflin, is looking for ELL / ESL Editors and Writers
for K-6 materials.
Must have experience writing / editing textbooks and
“demonstrate a working knowledge of educational pedagogy and products for the
ELL/ESL student.”
=> Learn More:
http://www.bookjobs.com/viewjob.php?prmJobID=1073928
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~Advertisement~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Would you like to be a home-based freelancer, but aren’t
sure where to start?
Fortune Magazine said, “Christine Durst and Michael Haaren
have written a terrifically useful book, ‘The 2-Second Commute,’ that is a
must-read for anyone considering a home-based job.”
Only $10.19 at Amazon, right here:
http://tinyurl.com/ysx2me
~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 13. Medical Economics Sr. Analyst for
Aetna (US; SE or SW Region, “other regions considered”) |||||
Aetna seeks full-time
Medical Economics Senior Analysts. “This position will work closely with SE/SW
Region Network through financial analysis with specific support in the
expanding Medicare market related to capitation production and trend modeling
and compensation reconciliations. Applicants must have an understanding of the
healthcare industry and relevant analytical financial experience.”
Bachelor’s in relevant area a plus. Must have “[e]xperience
in financial analysis in healthcare, insurance, or a managed care environment.”
Pay range $43k - $52k.
=> Learn More:
http://tinyurl.com/2z4e5o <=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 14. Bilingual English-Spanish Home Triage RN (US,
Central or Mountain Time Zone) |||||
Staffing firm The Judge Group is advertising for a Triage RN
who is bilingual in English and Spanish. “
If you reside in
Central or Mountain time and live in a compact state, you are eligible for this
position!”
Must be licensed and in good standing,
with at least 3 years’ clinical experience.
=> Learn More:
http://tinyurl.com/2ywrqb <=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 15. Senior Business Development Specialist (US; “Based
in
Richmond, Va.”) |||||
US-based WellPoint is looking for a Sr. Business Development
Specialist to work 20hrs.-30hrs. weekly.
“Develops new business areas that
complement existing offerings. Develop business plans and formulate strategies
for both new and existing businesses. Monitor and analyze product lines to help
determine optimal strategy. Provide research, analysis and recommendations on
the external environment as part of the development of strategic plans for the
business unit.”
Must have Medicare product experience
and “BA/BS Degree along with two or more years experience or any equivalent
combination of education and experience. On-demand and document workflow
management experience required. Experience working in or with a print
production environment and familiarity with project methodology required.”
=> Learn More:
http://tinyurl.com/39w6xh <=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 16. Mobile Phones and Technology Blogger (UK-oriented)
|||||
Mobile Express is looking for a full-time Blogger to write
on mobile phones and related technology for a
UK readership. Minimum of 10 posts
weekly. Pays $1,000 per month.
=> Learn More:
http://jobs.problogger.net/view/991
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 17. Medical Transcriptionists (US) |||||
US-based Global Transcription Network is looking for full-
and part-time MTs with at least 5 years’ acute-care experience.
=> Learn More:
http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=14495
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 18. Experts on Women’s Hairstyles, South American Food
|||||
About.com, owned by the NY Times, is looking for part-time
Guides on Women’s Hairstyles, South American Food,
Salt Lake City, Saving for College, and many
other topics.
Pays a minimum of $725 per month for two years, plus
advertising revenues.
=> Learn More:
http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm <=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 19. Freelance Designer (“Anywhere”) |||||
Shopping site StyleFeeder is looking for a Designer with
“decent proficiency with HTML and CSS markup” and “a few years” of client
experience.
=> Learn More:
http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/1668/
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
||||| 20. Medical Transcriptionists (US) |||||
US-based Focus Infomatics is looking for Medical
Transcriptionists with 1 year’s experience. “Many types of transcription”
available.
=> Learn More:
http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=14514
<=
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All contents copyright 2008 Staffcentrix, LLC, "The most trusted name
in home-based careers."(TM, SM) All rights reserved.
TERMS
AND GUARANTEES:
As
a subscriber to the Rat Race Rebellion Weekly Bulletin
(the Bulletin)
you understand and agree to comply with the following
conditions:
- Staffcentrix, LLC makes
no
guarantees related to the quantity and quality of responses from
prospective
employers to client applications.
- Any information and
services
provided by Staffcentrix, LLC may be used only for lawful purposes.
- Staffcentrix, LLC is not
responsible for the content of employer listings or the content of
hyperlinks
within an employer's posting.
- As covered more
thoroughly
below under “Scams,” we make every reasonable
effort to screen employer leads
and offer only legitimate postings in the Bulletin. Nevertheless,
it remains
incumbent upon Subscriber or his or her clients to qualify prospective
employers. Staffcentrix, LLC cannot be responsible for the
outcome of
negotiations between employers and the users of the Bulletin.
Scams
As
noted, while listings contained in the Bulletin
have been screened by
our staff, and we believe in good faith that all listings are
legitimate,
Staffcentrix, LLC cannot guarantee the legitimacy of all listings, and
we can
make no representations or accept any responsibility regarding
prospective
employers themselves. Inevitably, with the number of “help
wanted” ads that are
screened for the Bulletin, and the
“camouflage” that inappropriate
opportunities may sometimes wear, an illegitimate or inappropriate item
will
occasionally “slip below our radar” and make its
way into the Bulletin. Should you encounter any
lead that appears to be a scam, please report it
to us immediately. Such items may include:
- Positions that were
posted
as "work at home" that are not;
- Posts that turn out to
be
multi-level marketing (MLM) operations or "get rich
quick" schemes;
- Any "employer" who
asks for money before releasing more details about the job.
We
have a zero tolerance policy regarding such "employers" and, when
they are reported, we will make certain that no further posts from
these
parties are allowed into the Bulletin.
