User:Jaynlann/sandbox

TaskRabbit basic info: Leah Busque found inspiration for TaskRabbit when she had no time to buy dog food. She built this marketplace for people to help each other run errands. It was based on the idea of “neighbors helping neighbors.” New business ventures: In March 2013, TaskRabbit introduced a new tool for their “TaskRabbit Business.” This tool allows businesses to hire temporary workers from the TaskRabbit users. Companies can hire temporary workers for multiple days, weeks, or months. The beginning of this tool came from a need of more workers for a several-week festival. Companies needed more workers to work the festival. TaskRabbit began offering temporary work with for this festival. After the success of recruiting workers for the festival, TaskRabbit continued this tool and it grew into TaskRabbit for Business. By using TaskRabbit Business, companies avoid a lot of paperwork. TaskRabbit handles all of the paperwork involved with payroll taxes, compensation, and unemployment insurance. TaskRabbit handles all of this legal work and takes 26 percent commission on these temporary jobs. Comparing to other temp agencies: Through the TaskRabbit for Business, companies can look at temporary worker candidates’ LinkedIn profile. This advantage is not possible with other agencies. Demographics: Many people look into TaskRabbit as a way to make extra cash on their free time. With the recent increase in layoffs, people from many different demographics have been looking into TaskRabbit for work. The education level of contractors vary from low to high. Out of the all the contractors, 70 percent hold bachelor’s degree, 20 percent hold master’s degree, and 5 percent hold a PhD. TaskRabbit full time: Many people are turning TaskRabbit into a full time job. Susana Jung was laid off from a renewable energy company in Silicon Valley. Jung looked onto TaskRabbit while she was searching for a new job. Jung now has stopped looking for a corporate job and is actively running errands full time. Layoff: In July 2013, TaskRabbit confirmed a layoff of 13 people, 20 percent of the 65 employees. The 13 people that were laid off were given one month’s pay. TaskRabbit Founder, Leah Busque confirmed that the layoff was due to changes in business opportunities and ventures. Busque states that TaskRabbit is focusing more on "mobile, geographic expansion, business services and marketplace operations." The layoff was an effect of the realigning of business ventures of TaskRabbit.