What do Australian Contractors (IPros) Want?

Monash University & Entity Solutions joined forces to produce the second IPro Index, a survey report investigating the behaviour of contractors in Australia.  IPro, coined by Entity Solutions, is short for ‘Independent Professionals’ (A magnet for Apple’s legal team?) and is used to refer mainly white collar contractors.

With 372 participants the sample size is not particularly large, but the survey served up some interesting questions and results.

> 47% sees themselves as having the characteristics of a chameleon – flexible and adaptable to change – in order to survive. Given that pro-actively looking for the next gig is part and parcel of every contractor’s life, the slight surprise here is that the tiger community, those who sees themselves as energetic and powerful, is only 19% of the total (chart 1). 

> A majority 62% see their relationship with their clients as resembling that of a knife and a fork, which according to the report, illustrates the ability to work together. 28% are in a bread and butter relationship, meaning ‘made for each other’. 3% are addicted to their clients similar to how some people are to junk food. (chart 2)

> Majority love working, and no lottery jackpot is going to persuade them to give up their work. A majority 41% said they will continue to do their work even if they win $10 million. A small cheeky 2% (in my opinion the smartest group) said they will ‘offer to buy the company they work for’ (chart 3).

The report also sheds light on the state of job satisfaction, personal well-being and the effects of the GFC on contractors. However, there’s no breakdown of the results by industry sector or region. Have a look (registration required).