Colchester firm launches micro jobs marketplace
A Colchester-based firm has launched a new online jobs marketplace to connect people who need to get work done with people who have the skills to do it. quiddoo.com is a new way to offer and find work.
According to latest unemployment statistics, 7.9% of the working age population in Colchester is currently out of work.
Entrepreneur Rakesh Luthra, who left a senior post at one of the world's biggest telecommunications companies to develop the concept, hopes some of the borough's 6,600 unemployed will be able to find work through quiddoo.
quiddoo is also aimed at businesses who want flexibility and cost-effectiveness when it comes to getting projects done without employing someone part or full time. The site should be particularly welcome to the small to medium sized businesses in Colchester who are just becoming established and may need work doing on an ad hoc basis. According to latest statistics, 758 new small to medium sized businesses were launched in the area in the first half of 2012.
Students, including those at the University of Essex, could also benefit, by finding work which fits around their degree programme to help pay their £9,000-a-year fees.
quiddoo is designed to bridge the gap between those looking to get work done, with those searching for employment. Employers can post a job that they need doing, or simply search through profiles to find the person with the right skills to get their project done on budget and on time.
With "Stints" on offer from just £5, individuals and businesses who may not want, or be able to afford, to hire someone on a permanent basis can dip into quiddoo's pool of skilled workers whenever they need extra help.
Meanwhile, with the employment market tougher than ever, many people are deciding to use their existing skills to work for themselves.
After signing up to quiddoo, jobseekers can look through the Stints posted to find work which fits in with their skillset and their time.
Rakesh set up his own software development and CRM consultancy business at the age of 17, working for big-name customers, including Microsoft and Netscape. After selling his firm, Rakesh went on to work for multinational telecommunications companies, including Orange, where he was responsible for multi-million pound budgets.
He believes quiddoo will help everyone from students and stay-at-home mums to those looking to change jobs and small businesses and individuals who need to get work carried out cost effectively.
Explaining his reasons for setting up quiddoo, Rakesh said: "I had that entrepreneurial feeling inside me which has always knocked on my heart and reminded me to do something. And I felt in the current economic climate, there are a lot of really skilled people and a lot of students who are struggling to get their first paid job.
"Even if they are skilled and even if they have the passion and desire to achieve something, in the market right now, it's extremely difficult for youngsters to find a job.
"I thought it would be great to give that opportunity, to provide that bridge, and that confidence to youngsters and anyone else looking to break into the jobs market or who needs to earn some extra cash."
Rakesh first came up with the idea for quiddoo two years ago, carrying out extensive market research which revealed the key factor for employers was cost. "Everyone wants the best value for money," said Rakesh. "But at the same time, they don't want to sacrifice on the quality they are receiving for that price. Some look for workers who are readily available, who can quickly start and some employers look for people who are keen to work from home, or on site.
"For all employers, hiring skilled people and reducing the cost of hiring those people was really important."
quiddoo can be used to get small tasks done - such as help with plumbing, construction work or even moving home, or for projects requiring certain skills.
"It could be remote work, where people want a website to be designed or they want a mobile app to be developed. But they don't have that much money," said Rakesh. "They have a good concept, they have an extremely good idea of what they want to do, but they aren't able to pay an expensive business to achieve that.
"In quiddoo, there are workers from all around the world, graduates, unemployed people locally and abroad, students who have a lot of technical knowledge, who could be helpful in doing market research and the development of mobile apps and websites.
"Or, it could be mothers who are looking after their children and still trying to work from home, or retired people who have decades of experience in specific industries. Or, it could even be full-time employees who are doing their 9-5 job but their heart and passion lie elsewhere.
"quiddoo will give all these people an extremely good opportunity to publicise and socialise their skills and what they can do, starting from just £5. And, it will help employers equally to get good value for money and get things done at just £5."
Rakesh's aim is to develop a market place where there is trust and confidence between employers and workers, and between both employers and workers, and quiddoo.
Already, quiddoo is enjoying positive feedback, with its Facebook page receiving 3,000 likes in just one week.
Rakesh said: "We're hoping we can reach a substantial amount of people and help them build their confidence and earn a little bit of extra cash in this tough economic climate, by using quiddoo."
quiddoo is now live athttp://www.quiddoo.com
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For further information, interviews, and images contact:
quiddoo PR team
Chiara Grassilli
0120 627 4115 or
080 8234 1614 ex 555
pr@quiddoo.com
Additional images
Looking for a job - Graduate with sign
Mother working from home with baby
About quiddoo.com
quiddoo.com is an online marketplace for quality micro services, starting at £5.
quiddoo sponsors the Free To Succeed project
As part of quiddoo's commitment to helping young people break into the jobs market quiddoo.com sponsoring theFree To Succeed - 1000 chances for young peopleproject. Free to Succeed provides support that young people from different regional, ethnic and social backgrounds wouldn't typically have access to. The project helps people to achieve goals, overcome obstacles, learn new skills, find new opportunities and make new helpful connections outside their current social circle.