GMn and The Fourth Industrial Revolution – Declan Hughes

The Grey Matters Network have tapped into a changing work environment that is being driven both by our customers and our associates.
The people that know these things say we are on the verge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The First used water and steam power to revolutionise industry. The Second used electric power to create mass production. The Third used electronics and information technology to automate processes and make information available to the masses. The Fourth is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
One could argue as to whether or not the ‘Gig Economy’ is being driven by this fourth industrial revolution or is a separate movement driven by some other factor. But the fact remains that the number of people working in the ‘Gig Economy’ is growing. Earlier this year a report was issued in the U.K. stating that 5 Million people are employed in the U.K. in this type of capacity.

The Gig Economy is even changing the traditional world of law firms. It was reported in the Sunday Tribune on the 8th October that Johnson Hana International has raised €1 Million in seed funding to create an Irish alternative legal solutions company. Their stated vision is to build on the shift towards flexible working.

The trend towards flexible working or the Gig Economy is certainly one we are seeing in The Grey Matters Network. The vast majority of opportunities we have filled have been in connecting organisations with experienced professionals for specific time boxed engagements. It is the preference for the majority of our associates and it is obviously the preference for our clients given the type of demand we are seeing.

Whatever the drivers, we have tapped into a movement that is delivering real business benefits to our clients and is giving our experienced professional associates the type of engagements they want at this point in their careers.