Voice of the Cape Radio Interview
A new service is revolutionizing the workforce by putting the public in direct contact with one of the fastest growing databases of privately skilled individuals in South Africa. Any skilled individual can add themselves to the Rent-A-Skill database for free in order to benefit from the many marketing and business support tools on the website. “This includes fast, effective and free online quoting and invoicing facilities; quick and easy personalised business card builder; personal inbox and communication platform, as well as a fully searchable directory of skilled individuals,” Jannie Ruppersberg of Rent-A-Skill explained.
A cell phone will allow registered users to receive messages directly from the website, without having to be online. Any prospective client or person searching the website will be able to send an SMS to the skilled individual, expressing an interest in their offered service and initiating a commercial exchange.
The site is also free to search, so users who are looking for a qualified pair of hands, can do so easily and quickly. “The fact that the Rent-A-Skill Facebook fan page is already one of the largest of its kind in the world with over 43 000 members is a good indication of the need for a site such as Rent-A-Skill which you will find at http://facebook.com/rentaskill,” Ruppersberg said.
“All over the world, people are struggling to live comfortably and our goal is to make financial freedom and independence available to everyone for free, whilst also creating the largest searchable database of skilled individuals in South Africa,” he added. The Rent-A-Skill site launched in October 2009.
Concept
Ruppersberg said when consumers need to have something done that requires skill they have three choices. “Make use of a business or company. They employ individuals to make a profit from their skills, so the consumer end up paying more. Secondly, do it yourself. This is probably the most cost effective way to go, but not everyone has the time or skill required to complete the job. Or thirdly, contract a private individual who is experienced in the skill they require. This is the best option.”
This amounts to the consumer renting the skill directly from the skilled person “and it is far cheaper since there is no business or company profits involved. The only problem with the last option was that no-one knew where to find these skilled individuals, until now.”
The new service allows consumers to simply do a free search on the Rent-A-Skill database for any skill or service they require in their area. They will then be supplied with a list of individuals advertising their experience, references and all relevant information making it easy for them to make a choice. The consumer will be supplied with the skilled individual’s direct contact details and searching or advertising on the website for free.
The website also offers a reference system where consumers are encouraged to go back onto the website and enter a reference for the person whose skill they rented. All references are available to view. The reference system informs consumers of good or bad service and so keeps an element of trust in place. Another special feature is the support groups offered by the website. Joining the website gives the skilled individual access to a support group in their field.
“If you are a Plumber, you would belong to the Plumbers group for instance. Electricians will belong to the Electricians group and so forth. In these groups they can discuss new technologies and get help and advice or just chat socially with other people with the same skill and interests. This function makes the skilled individuals feel like they are part of something and keeps them actively involved in their skill,” Ruppersberg explained.
Tools
The website also has special tools like a professional quote generator, invoice generator and all other templates a skilled individual would require when renting out their skills. “We also supply them with free business cards and their unique web address (URL). Rent-A-Skill is the perfect tool for private skilled individuals renting out their skills. They can manage all their clients and contacts and never lose that important client’s contact details,” he said.
The website puts the power back in the hands of the individual by giving them the opportunity, by providing them with a platform to advertise their skills nationally as well as internationally, to get their foot in the economic door and grow. A support group system furthermore improves skills development, industry related knowledge distribution and technology development.
“There are millions of private skilled individuals in South Africa. All consumers now have direct contact with them and any skill or service they require. They are now in direct contact with the workforce. This is not just a website… It is the start of the 21st Century Industrial Revolution,” Ruppersberg said. VOC
