The Rise of the Digital Nomad

While many have been talking about launching ‘remote work’, headlines were made when the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s commercial and largest city, Dubai, recently launched a new one-year remote-work visa. It is a program that permits one to live and work by the beach and enjoy the surf and the sun in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The escapist deal enables one to come to Dubai, along with family, and work remotely, all this while remaining employed in your home country. With this unique and future-facing law in place, the region has set the scene to build attractive foundations for companies and foreign investors who wish to grow their presence in the region. And that says a thing or two about how “location-independent workers” have left the drudgery of cubicles and commutes. 

The nomad generation is defined by their freedom to work from anyplace, where the only requirements are talent and connectivity. Add to it that remote-working reduces overheads such as rent and utilities and payroll costs allowing businesses to grow more flexible and competitive. According to a Global Workplace Analytics study, six out of ten employers identify cost savings as a compelling benefit to remote working. Furthermore, it should be noted that the nomad generation is undoubtedly delivering higher productivity. Stanford University research has shown that remote workers are 13% more productive. Another study by Owl Labs reported that remote workers themselves affirmed a 79% increase in productivity without the office’s distractions. That said, the new generation of workers might be all set to usher in an era of responsible innovation for a sustainable future.