How would you find it not necessary to go to work in a formal office, but to go for example to a beach in Spain and by the sea with him computer do you do your job? What if at some point you were bored and wanted a change of scenery to be in the heart of an American metropolis where again at some point with internet access you would work from your laptop? Also, if you do not want to move, can you have your home as a business? Probably not so bad and it is true that such professional conditions concern many people on our planet, while as some say, this working model will become even more widespread in the coming years.
Digital Nomads are people who work from their laptops without a specific location, as long as they just have a good connection. WiFi. They usually work in her fields technology However, other professions such as writers, translators and social media managers are not excluded. Also, in addition to being self-employed they can work in remote companies.
Newsbeast.gr spoke with Ms. Evi Missa, a Greek Digital Group and creator of social networking groups Digital Nomads Athens, which revealed to us the secrets of this trend and the people who follow this way of life.
What is a Digital Nomad?
Digital nomads: Workers who leave their offices and travel the world with a computer in hand and work remotely from beaches, cafes, libraries and coworking (collaborative) spaces and participate in meetups to socialize and network . Some also live in coliving, ie houses that share with each other, expenses, bills and workplace. Among them there are those who do not travel as often, and are based in a city, but follow the above practices for socialization / networking.
- Are there many in Greece, but also abroad?
In Greece they are passers-by and do not stay more than a few months, so no there are not many.
Abroad it has many more, especially in Asia: Chiang Mai, Thailand & Ubud, Bali and in Europe especially Barcelona, Lisbon and Amsterdam. According to experts, by 2035 the digital nomads may have even exceeded one billion.
- If you can give us their profile. They are young in age, what jobs do they do?
Three categories: are the millennials 20 to 35 years old, Generation X 35 and 50 years old and in the third group are the Baby Boomers, who are 50 years old. Occupations: consulting services, as translators, graphic designers, public relations, word processors, remote support staff, software development specialists, managing directors, real estate managers, on site
marketing. Some are entrepreneurs themselves or self-employed, but the trend that tends to prevail leads large companies to choose this model of cooperation with their employees. That is, the possibility of remote distance employment.
- What exactly are you doing?
I undertake online projects and I am a yoga teacher.
- Have you been to other countries outside Greece? What exactly did you experience there?
Yes, I have been to other parts of Europe where there are groups (like Digital Nomads Athens) that support digital nomads (but also those who do not travel as often) on social media and coworking where everyone can work on their own of the project while sharing the same space and activities.
- Is the species flourishing in the US?
Huge, according to studies, by 2020 one in three Americans will work remotely, either from home or elsewhere.
- You have created a Facebook group for Digital Nomads. What is its purpose?
I saw the need of this population for networking / socialization in Greece and I formed the groups. (Meetup-Facebook-Instagram). Purpose; To unite this population that visits Greece or that lives here and works from the computer without a physical office. We offer coworking days,
social activities for drinking, eating, dancing, yoga, meditation and even vacations and trips to the islands, from where they work (coworking), stay (coliving) and vacation together. And of course practical advice for our country.
- Does the Digital Prefecture feel alone?
Sometimes, for this reason, they work from cafes, libraries and coworking spaces and participate in events-meetups for socialization and for business opportunities.
- Which countries are most attracted to Digital Nomads and why in your opinion?
In a general context, it matters how open and friendly the country is to a foreign population and how developed the sense of community is, and of course WiFi.
More specifically:
Mainly the Asia due to the low cost of living and the good climate (it is always summer). A large nomad center is Colombia, also for its low cost of living, history and climate.
And to Europe:
Bansko, Bulgaria with its low tax system and ski resort and coworking & coliving center (houses shared by one prefecture). Lisbon due to the weather and the low cost of living. Finally, Barcelona, London, Berlin are also an attraction, as is Amsterdam for the many networking opportunities in the field of technology and also in these cities coworking offices do not just offer a place for nomads to work together. , but a vibrant community, with daily activities and opportunities for dating and professional development. Indicatively WeWork is one such company.
- Would you prefer a job in an office?
Very difficult, but I am a supporter of it work from coworking venues, libraries, cafes and for the change of performances but also for networking / acquaintances on a personal and professional level.
- Do you think this will be the future of the world of work and why?
It will definitely be the future of the world of work, due to the rapid evolution of technology but also the advantages of this type of work such as: less costs if there is no office, access to employees who do not live in the same city but are ideal for the position, better quality of life due to not moving during peak hours, choice of hours, freedom for hobbies, quality time with people in our lives, reduction of unemployment.
- Can Greece become a bigger attraction for this type of workers?
Yes, of course it could as well as its geography and climate Greece are great advantages, but prohibitive taxation, with the inflexibility of new technologies and the non-existent community do not make it a popular destination for the foreign population.
- A wish for your colleagues?
To support local businesses in the countries they visit and try to understand the locals, to better learn the culture but also to support the needs of each country.