Innovative solution for an increasingly flexible labour market

Flexibility and speed are essential for hospitality companies. To cater for this, YoungOnes offers an acclaimed platform that functions as a marketplace for freelance work, where companies can quickly and efficiently find freelancers for short-term assignments.

YoungOnes' platform introduces the concept of 'hyperflex work', where freelancers have full control over their working hours and assignments. This offers significant benefits to both companies and freelancers. With YoungOnes, companies can manage their own schedules without the involvement of employment agencies, which makes for a more transparent and efficient process. Companies can also use a favourites pool. This allows freelancers with a good match to easily return for new assignments.

The Conservatorium Hotel is one of the companies already successfully using YoungOnes. The five-star hotel next to Museumplein in Amsterdam was already working with another provider of freelancers, but wanted to spread the risk by finding a new partner. On the recommendation of a freelancer, Andrew Anthony from the Quality & Planning department came across YoungOnes and was soon impressed with the partnership. By using YoungOnes, the Conservatorium Hotel can quickly find suitable freelancers who meet their high quality requirements.

Anthony set up a process to manage expectations among freelancers. "Creating expectations beforehand and clear communication towards the freelancers in collaboration with the YoungOnes tool ensures the best results. If they are shocked when I indicate that housekeeping is hard work, it is often not a good match. Fortunately, we've only had that once or twice and the freelancers through YoungOnes have a good work ethic so they pick things up quickly."

According to Anthony, the benefits of working with YoungOnes are numerous. "I finish my planning faster and the dashboard for clients is incredibly user-friendly. This results in a more efficient working environment where quality and reliability are key."

Another success story comes from ss Rotterdam, a historic cruise ship converted into one of the most iconic hotels located in the port of Rotterdam. Paul de Jong, assistant F&B Manager, talks about their experience with YoungOnes. Like many other hospitality companies, ss Rotterdam is facing a staff shortage and they were looking for a reliable solution.

Although this particular hotel had worked with other platforms and employment agencies before, they were still not fully helped with their demand. Freelancers or temporary workers often lacked quality and work experience. "Fortunately, the experienced freelancers through YoungOnes do pick up instructions quickly," says De Jong. "That is clearly visible on the shop floor. After a short and concise instruction, they can get straight to work."

The platform's efficiency and permanent faces are other big pluses for ss Rotterdam. "The service and efficiency at YoungOnes is better than other platforms. Setting out a job is a piece of cake. We use clear templates for this. After a response to the job, we match ourselves based on skills and qualities visible on the freelancer's profile. So we immediately see who we 'bring in' and that saves us a huge amount of time."

An important part of ss Rotterdam's success with YoungOnes is the favourites pool. This enables them to build a long-term relationship with a fixed group of freelancers. De Jong emphasises the importance of this approach: "Really pay attention to this group from the start if you want them to come back. Not just for the company but also to make them feel heard and seen."

YoungOnes' personal approach and ongoing support are crucial for ss Rotterdam. "Despite the size of the platform, there is always a fixed contact person and a personal approach. We only have to email, app or call and we quickly receive a clear response," says De Jong.

Lodder concludes: "With YoungOnes, hospitality businesses and freelancers keep control. There is no one in between so both parties have to put their best foot forward. The freelancer wants good ratings and clients want the best people to keep doing jobs for them."