Our PR Director, Michelle Smytheman, is passionate about helping emerging professionals in the communications industry and teaches at the University of the Sunshine Coast. As part of an assessment task this year, there have been some excellent blogs written by first-year students about emerging business trends. We are proud to share their work.
By Mayah Kanigowski
In today’s world people are starting their own side hustles. As a new and exciting trend within the always-changing business world, helping people achieve their goals of being financially independent and pursuing their passions.
Side hustles are freelancing side gigs people do in addition to their regular jobs to earn their income. The growing development of social media platforms has significantly helped people’s ability to earn money on a flexible basis from their interests and talents. Within today’s fast-paced world of business gaining a competitive edge is critical, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional. Within this blog, we will explore how side hustles might provide you with the competitive advantage you need to succeed.
1 Adaptability
Success in the ever-changing corporate environment depends on one’s capacity to adapt. Working side hustles requires you to be quick-witted, open to trying out new concepts, and flexible when needed. You are always exposed to shifting consumer tastes, market dynamics, and technological advancements while running a side hustle. This skill might prove to be a great advantage for both your primary career and your side hustle. Whether it is navigating shifts in customer behaviour, responding to emerging trends, or quickly adjusting your business model, your experience in your profession can sharpen your ability to adapt effectively resulting in success. Setting you apart from others in your industry who may be resistant or hesitant to change, helping you stay relevant and in demand.
2 Quality Matters
In an abundance of options, quality is what makes a difference. A side hustle generally begins as a passion endeavour where you may focus on quantity over quality. Your side hustle, whether it’s making handcrafted items, providing customised services, or producing content, might serve as evidence of your dedication to quality. Quality isn’t just about producing a superior product or service it is also about attention to detail, customer care and consistency. Your side hustle can be the first stepping stone for learning and perfecting these qualities, which can be implemented into your primary career making you stand out as a professional that delivers quality.
3 Customer Engagement is Key
Customer engagement is the foundation of every successful business. You have a rare chance to communicate with clients or consumers directly via your side hustle. You may develop a devoted clientele by showing your engagement by continually seeking out feedback, learning about their wants, and adjusting your products appropriately. Customer engagement is about actively listening to your customers’ concerns, responding promptly, and making them feel heard. By developing engagement skills in your side hustle, you can also use them in your primary career, improving client relationships and developing your professional reputation within the business.
4 Diversifying your skill set
Successful professionals often have to diversify their skills. Your side hustle will help you experience and learn new skills you hadn’t thought about trying before. Whether you’re in the field of business, studying project management, finance, or marketing, these skills can help you advance in your primary career. While your primary career may focus on specific skills, your side hustle allows you to explore different areas of work. Branching out can develop your skills to be a well-rounded professional capable of tackling a wide range of challenges. Showing your commitment to personal and professional growth and development.
5 Risk management
Side hustles might serve as a safety net. They provide an extra stream of revenue that may be quite helpful in hard times. You may take measured chances in your main profession or even investigate other prospects thanks to your financial stability. Also, you lessen your reliance on single employment and increase your resilience to economic downturns by diversifying your sources of income. Studies have shown that by diversifying your income, you can reduce your dependency on a single job making you less vulnerable to unpredicted economic downturns. Multiple incomes can also be a strategic advantage as it provides stability allowing you to break down financial challenges more effectively. Side hustles can act as a testing ground for new innovative ideas, giving you the confidence to grow as an entrepreneur and possibly become self-employed.
There’s much more to side hustles than simply making a little extra cash. They may provide you with useful skills such as adaptability and enable you to engage with customers on a personal level. Acknowledging and embracing side hustles will provide you with a competitive edge in the ever-changing landscape of the modern workforce. It’s time to unlock your full potential and start that side hustle.
