In some ways, Microsoft has no choice but to acquire UpWork in order to protect the groundwork it has already built in the employment and networking space. While Microsoft’s purchase of Linkedin added to its stable of tools for full-time employees and employers, the company is still lacking in the growing future temporary workforce.
With the economy moving more toward temporary work, as previously described, UpWork becomes a disruptor to businesses which rely on the traditional mode of employment in their business model. This makes UpWork a direct threat to the business of LinkedIn, which could suffer.
Other ways Microsoft could use UpWork
While this exclusive partnership for integration with Microsoft Office products has everyone talking, there is still a lot more room for Microsoft to utilize UpWork and its resources in a future where UpWork is a part of the Microsoft ecosystem.
One potential use for Upwork’s technology and marketplace is integrating it with the already existing network of LinkedIn. LinkedIn has an estimated 575 million users, with more than 260 million of those users active monthly. Maybe more importantly for UpWork, there are over 10 million company profiles on the platform. All of these companies have their own hiring needs and are potential clients who could benefit from an efficient connection with freelance workers.
