Latest news with #Oyster
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Feature: How an Ethiopian entrepreneur turns fungus into fortune?
by Xinhua writers Habtamu Worku, Liu Fangqiang ADDIS ABABA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- In the highlands of Ethiopia, a local entrepreneur's fascination with mushrooms has sparked a surprising culinary movement, reshaping local diets and creating new economic opportunities. Mikias Tadesse, 29, recalled how his mushroom curiosity turned his life around, from a truck driver to a successful mushroom farmer, ultimately promoting a culinary change in Ethiopia. Tadesse's curiosity began about three years ago upon his first encounter with a fleshy cluster of sprouted mushrooms in the backyard of a Chinese road construction camp in a remote village in southern Ethiopia. "Intrigued by a sight foreign to my Ethiopian culinary experience and out of curiosity, I decided to try a mushroom dish prepared by the Chinese chefs. To my surprise, I really enjoyed the dish," said Tadesse. Tadesse also found the vast potential of mushrooms to diversify Ethiopia's culinary landscape and bolster food security, thanks to their ease of cultivation and quick harvest cycle. He then discussed the idea of starting mushroom cultivation with his Chinese colleagues. "Their response was immediate and very encouraging. They fully supported my business idea and promised to assist me in this new venture." "From the very beginning, the Chinese agricultural experts have been the lifeline of my mushroom farm. They provided me with extensive technical knowledge through hands-on training and material support, including quality spawns that are necessary to navigate the delicate process of fungal cultivation," he said. Tadesse's biggest challenge, however, was the public's unfamiliarity with mushrooms in Ethiopia. "I faced major market resistance because most people simply did not see mushrooms as food," he said. "Even though I knew some restaurants and hotels in Addis Ababa served dishes with mushrooms, I had to visit nearly every supermarket and hotel to promote my products. Initially, I received countless rejections and skepticism," he recalled. After many attempts, his persistence finally paid off. Despite the minimal demand from their customers, some supermarkets agreed to stock his mushrooms. During the first six months, Tadesse often retrieved nearly half of the mushrooms from their shelves after three or four days. Gradually, he started to notice the growing demand for mushrooms as the orders from his partner supermarkets increased. Buoyed by growing demand, he expanded his farm to four mushroom cultivation sheds, each spanning 250 square meters. Today, the young entrepreneur cultivates vibrant Yellow mushrooms, King Trumpets, and Oyster mushrooms. "Though our farm produces an average of 50 kg of different varieties of mushrooms and has 12 dedicated workers, we are struggling to meet the growing demand," Tadesse said. Although he has found success in mushroom cultivation, he remains deeply grateful to the Chinese experts. "Their support forms the foundation of our farm and business. From securing premium Chinese spawns to providing cutting-edge technical knowledge and tools, their assistance has been transformative." Zheng Aibao, 59, who specializes in mushroom cultivation, is among the eight Chinese agricultural experts working in Ethiopia. "This is my third time in Ethiopia. I am glad to see the mushroom cultivation method introduced by Chinese experts is taking root in five farms in the country," said Zheng. As for Tadesse, his long-term goal is to deepen his knowledge of mushroom cultivation and start exporting processed mushrooms. "I believe that with coordinated efforts from both government and private sectors, mushrooms will end up on more dinner tables across Ethiopia and really help add variety to what people eat," Tadesse said.
Techday NZ
a day ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
Contractor & consulting roles surge as global hiring shifts
Oyster has released its 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report, revealing significant changes in global employment trends, with contractor and consulting roles experiencing substantial growth. The report documents a 46% increase in contractor engagements and a tenfold rise in consulting hires year-on-year, highlighting a movement towards flexible, on-demand expertise in workforce planning worldwide. "What we're witnessing is the emergence of an 'Expertise Economy,' and it's a fundamental realignment of how companies and talent engage with each other," said Marina Farthouat, Vice President of People at Oyster. "Knowledge workers are increasingly defining their careers through expertise and meaningful projects rather than company loyalty, while organizations are building fluid, specialized teams that can adapt quickly to changing market demands." The research draws on data from Oyster's platform and a survey of over 500 human resources leaders. Findings suggest that as companies confront economic uncertainty and adjust priorities, they are rethinking not only the location of their workforce but also how they engage talent in more adaptable ways. Oyster's platform data shows that, in 2024, companies hired in over 110 countries, targeting markets offering specialised talent, suitable time zones, and operational capability. Europe accounted for the highest share of new hires with 43%, followed by Asia and the Middle East with 24%, and North America at 20%. More than half (54%) of these hires were made by United States-based companies. The report identifies the Philippines (9%), United States (8%), India (7%), Canada (6%), and United Kingdom (6%) as the top five countries for the highest volume of new hires. The fastest growing hiring markets included Mexico, with a 136% increase, Peru (89%), Switzerland (88%), Colombia (68%), and Serbia (43%). Across all regions, technology roles represented 35% of global hiring, followed by sales and marketing (12%) and administrative support (6%), with particularly strong demand for these positions in Asia and South America. Rising contract and consulting work reflects broader developments in workforce flexibility, as organisations seek agility amid budget constraints and high revenue expectations. Oyster's platform saw contractor engagements rise by 46% year-on-year, while permanent hires fell by 2%. Consulting hires grew by ten times, with fractional, project-based, and on-demand expertise becoming increasingly valued. The software and services sector represented 35% of remote hiring, and professional services accounted for 16%, marking these industries as particularly compatible with distributed work models. The report also shows that hybrid work continues to be prominent, with 84% of companies reporting that some or all employees work in a hybrid arrangement. "Companies are taking a deliberate approach to their global workforce composition, strategically designing teams that blend permanent roles in some regions with project-based contractor expertise in others," said Erin Goodey, Director of People Services at Oyster. "The Philippines, India, and emerging markets across Latin America have become go-to destinations for specialized technology talent, while we see more sales and marketing roles distributed across Europe and North America. It's about having the right expertise in the right engagement model for each specific function." The data points to growing employer confidence and preparedness to hire globally, particularly within emerging markets. In 2024, 47% of new hires via the Oyster platform originated from emerging economies, indicating a shift in trust towards global talent pools. Of note, while only 37% of first international hires were made in emerging markets, this figure increased to 48% for subsequent hires by the same companies. The survey found 57% of businesses plan to hire international talent in the next 12 months. Additionally, 67% of HR leaders felt equipped to manage distributed teams, and 56% of organisations had formal programmes in place to support hybrid work, which included training on cultural awareness, asynchronous collaboration, and coordinating across different time zones. "What's very interesting is how quickly companies adapt once they make that first global hire," continued Farthouat. "Organizations that initially approach global hiring with caution quickly expand their footprint as they experience the value of specialized skills. Not long ago, building a global team was considered bold and forward-thinking. Now, it's simply smart business."
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring Report Reveals How the Expertise Economy is Reshaping the World of Work
Remote-First Company/SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 2, 2025-- Oyster®, the global employment solution to employ, pay, and care for distributed teams, today released its 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report, offering a detailed look at trends reshaping the world of work. Most notably, the findings reveal a 46% increase in contractor engagements and 10x growth in consulting hires YoY—signaling a shift toward flexible, expertise-on-demand arrangements in global workforce planning. 'What we're witnessing is the emergence of an 'Expertise Economy,' and it's a fundamental realignment of how companies and talent engage with each other,' said Marina Farthouat, VP of People at Oyster. 'Knowledge workers are increasingly defining their careers through expertise and meaningful projects rather than company loyalty, while organizations are building fluid, specialized teams that can adapt quickly to changing market demands.' Based on Oyster's platform data and a survey of over 500 HR leaders, the report indicates a new symbiotic relationship forming between companies and global talent. As businesses face economic uncertainty and shifting priorities, they're moving beyond simply changing where people work to reimagining how they engage talent altogether. Additional key findings from Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report include: Where the World Is Hiring—and Why In 2024, global companies turned to Oyster to hire in 110+ countries, targeting markets where specialized talent, time zone alignment, and operational readiness offered a competitive edge. Flexibility First: Contract Work Surges as Hybrid Becomes the Norm The rise in contract and consulting work reflects a broader movement toward workforce agility, driven by tighter budgets, ambitious revenue goals, and the growing appeal of flexible careers. 'Companies are taking a deliberate approach to their global workforce composition, strategically designing teams that blend permanent roles in some regions with project-based contractor expertise in others,' said Erin Goodey, Director of People Services at Oyster. 'The Philippines, India, and emerging markets across Latin America have become go-to destinations for specialized technology talent, while we see more sales and marketing roles distributed across Europe and North America. It's about having the right expertise in the right engagement model for each specific function.' Employers Signal Global Hiring Readiness + Confidence in Emerging Markets Oyster's mission is to create a more equal world by making it possible for companies everywhere to hire people anywhere. In 2024, 47% of new hires on the platform came from emerging markets, fueling broader economic impact and indicating an increasing trust in global talent pools. What's more: 'What's very interesting is how quickly companies adapt once they make that first global hire,' continued Farthouat. 'Organizations that initially approach global hiring with caution quickly expand their footprint as they experience the value of specialized skills. Not long ago, building a global team was considered bold and forward-thinking. Now, it's simply smart business.' For more data on global talent acquisition trends, workplace flexibility shifts, and emerging market compensation patterns, download Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report. About Oyster Oyster is a B Corp-certified global employment platform that empowers companies to hire, pay, and care for their global teams. It enables growing companies to give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches or expense. Oyster enables people-centric hiring anywhere in the world with reliable, compliant contracts, payroll, and great local benefits and perks. Founded in January 2020 by Tony Jamous, Oyster is itself a fully distributed company with a diverse, global team. For more information visit View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact [email protected] KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES CANADA NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC MIDDLE EAST EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL TECHNOLOGY HUMAN RESOURCES FINANCE FINTECH OTHER TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOURCE: Oyster Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/02/2025 08:52 AM/DISC: 06/02/2025 08:50 AM
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring Report Reveals How the Expertise Economy is Reshaping the World of Work
Contract work surges 46% as professionals pursue autonomy through expertise while companies seek specialized skills on demand Remote-First Company/SAN FRANCISCO, June 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oyster®, the global employment solution to employ, pay, and care for distributed teams, today released its 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report, offering a detailed look at trends reshaping the world of work. Most notably, the findings reveal a 46% increase in contractor engagements and 10x growth in consulting hires YoY—signaling a shift toward flexible, expertise-on-demand arrangements in global workforce planning. "What we're witnessing is the emergence of an 'Expertise Economy,' and it's a fundamental realignment of how companies and talent engage with each other," said Marina Farthouat, VP of People at Oyster. "Knowledge workers are increasingly defining their careers through expertise and meaningful projects rather than company loyalty, while organizations are building fluid, specialized teams that can adapt quickly to changing market demands." Based on Oyster's platform data and a survey of over 500 HR leaders, the report indicates a new symbiotic relationship forming between companies and global talent. As businesses face economic uncertainty and shifting priorities, they're moving beyond simply changing where people work to reimagining how they engage talent altogether. Additional key findings from Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report include: Where the World Is Hiring—and Why In 2024, global companies turned to Oyster to hire in 110+ countries, targeting markets where specialized talent, time zone alignment, and operational readiness offered a competitive edge. By region, Europe was the top talent market with 43% of new hires on the platform, followed by Asia & the Middle East (24%), and North America (20%). Of all new hires, more than half (54%) were hired by companies in the United States. Drilling down further, the top five hiring destinations with the highest volume of total new hires across all countries include: Philippines (9%) United States (8%) India (7%) Canada (6%) United Kingdom (6%) The top five fastest-growing markets with the greatest increase in new hires YoY include: Mexico (+136%) Peru (+89%) Switzerland (+88%) Colombia (+68%) Serbia (+43%) Roles in technology (35%), sales and marketing (12%), and administrative support (6%) dominate global hiring—especially in Asia and South America. Flexibility First: Contract Work Surges as Hybrid Becomes the Norm The rise in contract and consulting work reflects a broader movement toward workforce agility, driven by tighter budgets, ambitious revenue goals, and the growing appeal of flexible careers. Contractor engagements through Oyster rose 46% YoY while permanent hires declined by 2%, signaling a shift toward flexible, scalable workforce models. Consulting hires grew 10x YoY, likely due to the rising need for fractional, project-based, and on-demand expertise. Companies in the software & services (35%) and professional services (16%) industries led in remote hiring, as these sectors remain best suited for distributed team models. While return-to-office debates continue, hybrid work cemented itself as the new standard when it comes to worker preference and productivity. The majority of respondents (84%) in the survey reported that some or all of their employees work in a hybrid model. "Companies are taking a deliberate approach to their global workforce composition, strategically designing teams that blend permanent roles in some regions with project-based contractor expertise in others," said Erin Goodey, Director of People Services at Oyster. "The Philippines, India, and emerging markets across Latin America have become go-to destinations for specialized technology talent, while we see more sales and marketing roles distributed across Europe and North America. It's about having the right expertise in the right engagement model for each specific function." Employers Signal Global Hiring Readiness + Confidence in Emerging Markets Oyster's mission is to create a more equal world by making it possible for companies everywhere to hire people anywhere. In 2024, 47% of new hires on the platform came from emerging markets, fueling broader economic impact and indicating an increasing trust in global talent pools. What's more: While only 37% of companies' first international hires were made in emerging markets, that number rose to 48% for subsequent hires. 57% of surveyed companies said they plan to hire international talent in the next 12 months. 67% of HR leaders said they are equipped to manage distributed teams. 56% of organizations have formal programs or training to support hybrid success—spanning cultural awareness, asynchronous collaboration, and time zone coordination. "What's very interesting is how quickly companies adapt once they make that first global hire," continued Farthouat. "Organizations that initially approach global hiring with caution quickly expand their footprint as they experience the value of specialized skills. Not long ago, building a global team was considered bold and forward-thinking. Now, it's simply smart business." For more data on global talent acquisition trends, workplace flexibility shifts, and emerging market compensation patterns, download Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report. About Oyster Oyster is a B Corp-certified global employment platform that empowers companies to hire, pay, and care for their global teams. It enables growing companies to give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches or expense. Oyster enables people-centric hiring anywhere in the world with reliable, compliant contracts, payroll, and great local benefits and perks. Founded in January 2020 by Tony Jamous, Oyster is itself a fully distributed company with a diverse, global team. For more information visit View source version on Contacts Media Contactoyster@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring Report Reveals How the Expertise Economy is Reshaping the World of Work
Remote-First Company/SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oyster®, the global employment solution to employ, pay, and care for distributed teams, today released its 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report, offering a detailed look at trends reshaping the world of work. Most notably, the findings reveal a 46% increase in contractor engagements and 10x growth in consulting hires YoY—signaling a shift toward flexible, expertise-on-demand arrangements in global workforce planning. "What we're witnessing is the emergence of an 'Expertise Economy,' and it's a fundamental realignment of how companies and talent engage with each other," said Marina Farthouat, VP of People at Oyster. "Knowledge workers are increasingly defining their careers through expertise and meaningful projects rather than company loyalty, while organizations are building fluid, specialized teams that can adapt quickly to changing market demands." Based on Oyster's platform data and a survey of over 500 HR leaders, the report indicates a new symbiotic relationship forming between companies and global talent. As businesses face economic uncertainty and shifting priorities, they're moving beyond simply changing where people work to reimagining how they engage talent altogether. Additional key findings from Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report include: Where the World Is Hiring—and Why In 2024, global companies turned to Oyster to hire in 110+ countries, targeting markets where specialized talent, time zone alignment, and operational readiness offered a competitive edge. By region, Europe was the top talent market with 43% of new hires on the platform, followed by Asia & the Middle East (24%), and North America (20%). Of all new hires, more than half (54%) were hired by companies in the United States. Drilling down further, the top five hiring destinations with the highest volume of total new hires across all countries include: Philippines (9%) United States (8%) India (7%) Canada (6%) United Kingdom (6%) The top five fastest-growing markets with the greatest increase in new hires YoY include: Mexico (+136%) Peru (+89%) Switzerland (+88%) Colombia (+68%) Serbia (+43%) Roles in technology (35%), sales and marketing (12%), and administrative support (6%) dominate global hiring—especially in Asia and South America. Flexibility First: Contract Work Surges as Hybrid Becomes the Norm The rise in contract and consulting work reflects a broader movement toward workforce agility, driven by tighter budgets, ambitious revenue goals, and the growing appeal of flexible careers. Contractor engagements through Oyster rose 46% YoY while permanent hires declined by 2%, signaling a shift toward flexible, scalable workforce models. Consulting hires grew 10x YoY, likely due to the rising need for fractional, project-based, and on-demand expertise. Companies in the software & services (35%) and professional services (16%) industries led in remote hiring, as these sectors remain best suited for distributed team models. While return-to-office debates continue, hybrid work cemented itself as the new standard when it comes to worker preference and productivity. The majority of respondents (84%) in the survey reported that some or all of their employees work in a hybrid model. "Companies are taking a deliberate approach to their global workforce composition, strategically designing teams that blend permanent roles in some regions with project-based contractor expertise in others,' said Erin Goodey, Director of People Services at Oyster. 'The Philippines, India, and emerging markets across Latin America have become go-to destinations for specialized technology talent, while we see more sales and marketing roles distributed across Europe and North America. It's about having the right expertise in the right engagement model for each specific function." Employers Signal Global Hiring Readiness + Confidence in Emerging Markets Oyster's mission is to create a more equal world by making it possible for companies everywhere to hire people anywhere. In 2024, 47% of new hires on the platform came from emerging markets, fueling broader economic impact and indicating an increasing trust in global talent pools. What's more: While only 37% of companies' first international hires were made in emerging markets, that number rose to 48% for subsequent hires. 57% of surveyed companies said they plan to hire international talent in the next 12 months. 67% of HR leaders said they are equipped to manage distributed teams. 56% of organizations have formal programs or training to support hybrid success—spanning cultural awareness, asynchronous collaboration, and time zone coordination. 'What's very interesting is how quickly companies adapt once they make that first global hire,' continued Farthouat. 'Organizations that initially approach global hiring with caution quickly expand their footprint as they experience the value of specialized skills. Not long ago, building a global team was considered bold and forward-thinking. Now, it's simply smart business.' For more data on global talent acquisition trends, workplace flexibility shifts, and emerging market compensation patterns, download Oyster's 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report. About Oyster Oyster is a B Corp-certified global employment platform that empowers companies to hire, pay, and care for their global teams. It enables growing companies to give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches or expense. Oyster enables people-centric hiring anywhere in the world with reliable, compliant contracts, payroll, and great local benefits and perks. Founded in January 2020 by Tony Jamous, Oyster is itself a fully distributed company with a diverse, global team. For more information visit
