I often told myself that freelancing would be my limit. It was hard to imagine being a leader, let alone a co-founder of a venture like OdeCloud. However, my perspective began to change when I realized the potential impact of a platform like OdeCloud.

So, I want to discuss some things I have learned over the years while attempting to build this company from the ground up with the other co-founders, leaders, and engineers on the team.

Building a Business from the Group Up

All in all, I think there is an art in trying to build a platform where you have to balance the following: technical prowess, user happiness, meeting deadlines, balancing technical debt vs. new features, and balancing new features vs. fixing bugs.

And then, outside of that, because a company consists of people working towards a common goal, being able to understand and empathize with the people we work with is crucial. This includes both praising their achievements and empathizing with their mistakes. Furthermore, everyone’s intrinsic motivation is different, and understanding everyone’s motivation is important.

Leading by Example

I have always wanted to lead through positive reinforcement or by example. This sometimes doesn’t always work out with fantastic results, but from my personal experiences, people might listen to you since you are a voice of authority, but it is very hard to motivate them to do more or do fantastic work just because you are their voice of authority. But I do think if you enable the right people and give them enough ownership over a project or let them know that you trust their expertise since that’s what you are hiring them for, then great results are bound to happen.

Leading a Remote Team 

Another detail I want to point out is that as a remote team, we miss out on many social cues. Things like leg movements, where your toes are pointing, if that person is folding their arms and on the defensive when talking to you, if that person is smiling or their slight reaction or the twinge in their movements when you say something. I think one of the reasons why companies like Loom, Around, Slack, and others who build social communication tools for remote teams understand is that despite working remotely through a monitor and camera, at the end of the day, we as humans want to talk and socialize with other humans and experience other human gestures as much as possible since these social cues have been with us since the beginning of time. So rather than just ignoring these cues, you try your best to build these cues into your product.

On other notes, communication is a big topic, especially for me. So there’s the delivery and the message, and then the audience. But what happens when you are on a call where the audience is both technical and non-technical, and you want your message to get across in a timely manner, all while keeping the audience you are talking to engaged and understanding, which is the delivery? I haven’t quite mastered this yet. I think it is a forever battle trying to figure this out as an engineer since there’s no clear function that you can trigger to resolve this issue.

Conclusion

And on that last note, my learning so far at OdeCloud as a technical leader is that the team depends on me for the best technical decisions, but those technical decisions are sometimes hard, sometimes they can cost a lot of money, sometimes they might extend the deadline, and sometimes they will make certain stakeholders happy. But at the end of the day, you have to trust your gut and make the call anyway. Then don’t be afraid to back out and say “sorry” if things didn’t go according to plan. If my intuition backfires on me, then at least I can be honest and upfront with my mistakes.

As mentioned, there is an art to leadership that I am learning every day on the job while building this amazing platform, but the journey has been extremely rewarding, and I feel very fortunate to be able to work on the things that I care about with people who inspire and support me.

The post Leadership Insights from OdeCloud CTO and Co-Founder, Vanielle Lee appeared first on OdeBlog.

Let’s Chat About a Challenge We All Face Online

I often reflect on the online world we’re all a part of. Have you ever noticed how much time and effort we put into sharing knowledge, answering questions, and helping out in online communities? It’s amazing, really, how much we all contribute. But here’s the thing – do we ever feel truly recognized for all that effort? In this post I’ll present the very system we’ve taken in recognizing online contributions with OdeReward and OdeProfile.

The Unseen Issue in Our Digital World

It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it? We live in this incredible age of information where knowledge is just a click away, thanks to people like us who share what we know. But let’s be honest, how often do those insightful discussions, detailed answers, or helpful posts really get the appreciation they deserve? Most of the time, it feels like our contributions just vanish into the vastness of the internet.

Related Post: High-level NetSuite training is made easy with the OdeCloud community’s crowdsourced NetSuite expertise

OdeReward: Recognizing Your Online Contributions

That’s why we at OdeCloud started thinking about a solution. We asked ourselves: What if there was a way to truly reward the effort and knowledge people share online? And that’s how OdeReward was born. It’s not about turning everything into a competition or adding flashy badges everywhere. It’s about genuinely acknowledging the time and expertise you share.

OdeProfile: Your Efforts, Now Part of Your Story

Along with OdeReward, we’ve developed something called OdeProfile. Think of all those in-depth posts you’ve written or those times you’ve gone out of your way to help someone on a forum. These actions show your expertise, right? But until now, they haven’t really counted towards your professional growth. OdeProfile changes that. It’s a way to let your online contributions reflect on your professional identity, making your digital presence more meaningful.

Beyond recognizing your online contribution by showcasing your expertise, OdeProfile allows members of our platform attract best freelance projects and earn highest billable rates in their industry.

A Step Towards Fairness in the Digital Realm

We’re not claiming to have all the answers or that OdeReward and OdeProfile will solve every issue related to online engagement. But it’s a start, a step towards recognizing and valuing the contributions that each of us make to the online community. It’s about giving a little back to those who give so much.

Join Us in Rethinking Online Engagement

Feel free to connect with me on Linkedin and start a conversation about this. How do you feel about the way your online contributions are currently valued? What does fair recognition look like to you? OdeReward and OdeProfile are just the beginning, and we’re excited to embark on this journey with you.

Stay connected, keep sharing, and let’s redefine what it means to contribute online.

Learn More — Forbes Releases Must-Read Feature Article About OdeCloud’s NetSuite Community

The post Recognizing Online Contributions – OdeReward and OdeProfile appeared first on OdeBlog.

So, you’ve got the skills, the experience, and the itch to break free from the corporate shackles and dive headfirst into the world of independent consulting. But, let’s be real – it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Finding gigs, keeping the work flowing, and avoiding the dreaded employment gaps can be downright nerve-wracking. And let’s not even get started on the nightmares of getting stuck in unvetted projects or attempting to tackle massive undertakings solo. Fear not, fellow consultants; we’ve got the scoop on OdeCloud, your go-to On Demand Experts Cloud, and how it stacks up against the Anderson Frank and the likes of the world.

Finding Independent Consulting Jobs and Clients

Picture this: You’ve got the skills, the hustle, but where are the gigs hiding? Enter OdeCloud, your beacon of hope in the freelance / independent consulting wilderness. It’s more than just a platform; it’s a bustling marketplace, a tight-knit community, and a tech-savvy haven all rolled into one. No more endless scrolling through generic job boards or sending out your CV into the void. OdeCloud matches you with curated hiring managers, projects tailor-made for your expertise, and a crew of co-workers who are not just colleagues but potential partners in crime.

Staying Employed and Avoiding Gaps

Ever had those sleepless nights wondering if the work faucet will suddenly run dry, leaving you with unused billable hours and a sinking feeling in your gut? We get it. OdeCloud, with its magical matchmaking prowess, ensures that the work keeps flowing. No more twiddling your thumbs during unexpected downtime. It’s like having a career GPS – always guiding you to the next exciting project, steering clear of those nerve-wracking gaps.

Vetted Projects and Strategic Alignments

Let’s be honest – nobody wants to be stuck in a project that’s not enabling you to grow professionally. OdeCloud understands the importance of having vetted clients and teammates who are on the same wavelength. It’s not just about finding a gig; it’s about finding the right gig. Picture this: strategic alignments, outcomes that actually matter, and a team that’s got your back. OdeCloud brings the matchmaker vibes to your consulting game, ensuring you’re always on projects that align with your goals.

Handling Large and Complex Projects Alone

The prospect of tackling mammoth projects solo is, frankly, terrifying. But fear not, because OdeCloud doesn’t leave you to fend for yourself in the consulting wilderness. It understands that sometimes you need a team of experts to consult and team up with when the going gets tough. OdeCloud gives you the support you need, ensuring that you’re not just surviving but thriving in the world of freelancing.

“I’ve found the OdeCloud community to be so much more than just the one person that recruited me. As it turns out, one great human attracts a lot of other great humans, and I just feel really lucky to be a part of this community.” Sara Dickinson – OdeCloud Community Fosters Meaningful Connections Among NetSuite Consultants

OdeCloud vs. Anderson Frank: A Tale of Two Worlds

Now, let’s talk about the Anderson Franks of the world – dealing with hundreds of job seekers, lacking the technical finesse you crave, and offering one-off projects that lead to constant clarifications and follow-ups. It’s like comparing a flip phone to a smartphone. Anderson Frank may throw an occasional project your way, but when it comes to deep technical expertise, enabling your career growth and personalized support, they fall short. That’s where OdeCloud steps in, offering a more comprehensive and personalized experience. It’s not just about the work; it’s about your success. OdeCloud cares about making your freelance business not just manageable but downright joyful.

“That’s a big thing for me with this idea going into freelancing, that — not to make it about money, but hopefully my bill rate can be a little higher so I can work fewer hours and (not have to) to grind out and make as much money as possible. I want to be able to enjoy my life and be able to punch out in the middle of the day and be able to play with my kid if I want to — and not feel guilty about it” Patrick Olson – Make More Time for You and Your Family By Becoming a Freelance

So, dear Business Tech Consultants, as you embark on your freelance journey, your quest for independence and a career on your terms, let OdeCloud be your guiding star. It’s more than a platform; it’s your partner in the wild world of independent consulting – making your journey not just successful but downright enjoyable. Here’s to independence and a freelance life that’s anything but ordinary! .

The post Thinking about Independent Consulting? OdeCloud vs. Anderson Frank & the likes appeared first on OdeBlog.

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You’ve all seen those crazy Silicon Valley startups! Why can’t an online community be just as fun?

Last week, we took a brief look at how OdeCloud’s online Slack community had grown over the past month, highlighting a 300 percent increase in active users. Those users take the time to help each other solve incredibly complex Netsuite problems that each of them had trouble solving alone.

This is exactly how OdeCloud’s infinite pool of knowledge and resources is meant to be utilized.

But just as our individual lives aren’t meant to revolve entirely around our careers, a great community isn’t there to just assist with work-related issues.

A great community shares in the collective experience of each other’s personal lives, expanding far beyond the limits of a strict, professional workplace. The OdeCloud community is no different, encouraging each user to share a bit of who they are outside of work.

Because let’s face it: We are more than what we do.

One way OdeCloud helps make things fun: The #CoolListenings channel, which is used to share music.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVxk9PW62Vk[/embedyt]

As seen in the infographic from our previous post, #CoolListenings is the most active discussion channel after OdeCloud’s more professional medium, #AllNetsuite. Community members provide some of their favorite tunes, showing off a diverse array of musical interests.

Aside from all the jams, the community has a #CoolEvents channel, which stays true to its namesake. Users can signal boost events they’re planning to go to, or they can simply share media they took from events at which they were present.

Just last month, OdeCloud CEO, Osar Iyamu, took a family trip to France, sharing pictures he took in the #CoolPlaces channel. He’ll often lead in the sharing, inviting others to events he organizes through his musical passion project, UnplugX, or posting pictures from some of his #Random adventures.

Like that one time he and Omar met international recording artist, producer and entrepreneur, Akon!

These are just a few tidbits that were shared with OdeCloud’s community via Slack. There are many more awesome things we’ve been up to.

As we continue to grow, we hope you take the chance to join us at one of our upcoming events and share in this fun community we’re building!

The post Getting Your Online Community to Slack Off the Right Way appeared first on OdeBlog.

Two heads are better than one.

Building a brand is easier than ever. All it really takes is a click of a button.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen fast-growing brands such as Glossier, Groupon, and Copyblogger go from small-time online communities to renowned worldwide companies.

Following the path of online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, a number of these companies now provide features for their members to distribute products or services as merchants, influencers, or consultants.

In the same manner, social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Discord have given individuals the tools to potentially further those communities, blurring our borders and redefining communal proximity.

But what if the community as a whole WAS the product? What if the community’s collective expertise was the brainpower behind the actual service?

This is the idea behind OdeCloud’s community of freelance NetSuite experts. We serve the global demand for NetSuite admin services by providing a community of experts that act as a single entity.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfNUz2qlQkY[/embedyt]

As opposed to traditional freelancing platforms, OdeCloud eliminates the stress related to finding that one perfect contractor for a single Netsuite gig. In addition, companies working with OdeCloud would no longer have to worry about an individual freelancer lacking the bandwidth or expertise to support a fast-growing organization.

Essentially, the availability of a large pool of talent within the community provides the opportunity to offer a one-stop technology service. Companies could potentially outsource all technical functions to OdeCloud, preserving an internal business analyst role for facilitating team collaboration.

On the consultants’ end, gone are the days of freelancers having to look for gigs on their own. No more having to lower pay rates to better compete in the freelancing market. No more having to forcefully extend his or her bandwidth for the sole purpose of completing a single gig.

When choosing OdeCloud, companies essentially contract with OdeCloud’s community of consultants, who, in turn, are encouraged to assist each other to find the perfect solution to whatever issues may arise.

This focus on communal knowledge and assistance is not only there to help serve the customer, but it also helps create the environment freelancers need in order to promote healthy, long-term relationships and higher learning.

Generally, we at OdeCloud refer to this as community-based, crowdsourced consulting.

In conclusion, traditional freelancing platforms will always fall short in delivering quick and effective solutions to complex technological problems.

There’s a critical need for an on-demand expertise platform, but one that is designed and built to benefit fast-growing organizations and the long-term growth of the Freelance Economy.

This is where community-based, crowdsourced consulting has the advantage over a lone wolf contractor.

This is where OdeCloud comes in.

Hope you liked this one!

In our blog next post, let’s take this discussion a tad further and expand on how exactly the OdeCloud platform will go about pairing companies with their own “dedicated team” of consultants.

And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to our blog! We update every Monday with fresh content.

Cheers,

Osar

The post The Difference Between a Freelancing Community and a Freelancing Platform appeared first on OdeBlog.