Photo: Doug DeVos, President of Amway.
Amway Corp. President Doug DeVos recently joined host Jacob Morgan on The Future of Work, a podcast that explores the evolution of work, to discuss entrepreneurship in the age of the freelancer economy.
DeVos is no stranger to the independent contractor model, which powers Amway’s business in more than 100 countries. The direct selling giant sells its wide range of products through millions of Amway Business Owners worldwide. With advances in technology, an increasing number of services—think Upwork for freelancers, Airbnb for lodging, and Uber for transportation—are creating similar opportunities for individuals to be their own boss.
According to the 2015 Amway Global Entrepreneurship Report, the desire to start a business is strongest among those 35 or younger. The group cited independence and self-fulfillment as the most appealing aspects of entrepreneurship. On The Future of Work, Morgan and DeVos dig into the results of the survey, common characteristics of entrepreneurs, the importance of unleashing innovation in the workplace, and entrepreneurs versus intrapreneurs—those working as entrepreneurs within large companies to drive innovation and growth.
