We’re exploring how you can adapt to trending client demands in 2025, focusing on key areas like corporate social responsibility, cybersecurity, hybrid work models, and artificial intelligence.
Do you remember learning how to drive?
If you’re like me, you had to learn twice - first on an automatic car, which was easy, and then with a manual transmission - starting and stalling in the back parking lot of my high school with my Dad shouting at me from the passenger’s seat and holding on to the side door handle for dear life.
Thankfully, learning new things doesn’t always have to be so difficult and traumatic - that’s why we’ve wrapped up some of the latest trends brought on by the world of work
The world of work is constantly changing (just like national driving regulations!) and we’re excited about some of the changes taking shape - especially in the ways of new AI tools that will save bucketloads of time in our everyday working week, as well as stricter CSR regulations that will encourage all of us to do our part in protecting the environment (and to safeguard against all the ecological damage done by aforementioned AI tools...)
At Malt we’ve noticed a number of changes in client requests over the last year, and we’re sharing them with you today to keep you up to date on the essential “extras” you should be aware of as you look for your next project. We will cover:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) requirements that are changing client demands, as they impact the way they work with external providers including freelancers.
Robust cybersecurity best practices that will reassure Malt’s top clients.
The rise in on-site projects and how you can adapt your working schedule accordingly.
Ways to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance your efficiency and service offerings.
As a freelancer, you’re always one step ahead of the world of work - shape-shifting with changing regulations, and spending up to 4hours per week upskilling and training yourself on the latest trends. So let’s sit back and enjoy the ride!
If you thought carbon footprint measurements were just for hippies, think again: changes in regulatory reporting such as the recent CSRD, the EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, require large companies to disclose detailed information about their environmental and social impact. Measures like these have pushed corporate social responsibility (or CSR) concerns to the forefront for many global corporations, including some clients at Malt - such as major actors in the media, banking, and transport industries. This has prompted some of them to even ask us for our freelancers’ carbon footprint alongside their CV, in an attempt to keep track of the carbon footprint of everyone working for the company so that they have an extremely accurate picture of their own impact.
Why are these issues suddenly coming to the forefront? First off, due to the government regulations - but also, because business interests and the environment are interconnected for many companies. CSR consultant Laurence Henry explains it this way: “It’s about risk management - they need to evaluate both the risks CSR issues pose to them and those they themselves create, since their impact inevitably feeds back into their own long term survival.”
“It’s about risk management - they need to evaluate both the risks CSR issues pose to them and those they themselves create, since their impact inevitably feeds back into their own long term survival.”"
The point is: when climate risks affect the supply chain, companies now also look at the risks linked to independent contractors, from their working conditions to their sustainability practices. Since freelancers are considered as independent contractors, any sort of risk they present must also be taken into account by large corporations - and this will only increase with time.
Individual freelancers, however, shouldn’t worry too much about the CSRD. “Even for CSR experts, it’s difficult to keep track of all of the changes for companies - it would be nearly impossible for most independent talent,” says Ecological Transition Engineer Solenn Launay. “Just look at the different terms we have for similar things - from CSR to ESG in English, it can be confusing especially for global companies in relation to the US - where prevalent climate skepticism has led many companies to avoid obvious links to climate change when planning their CSR actions.”
"It can be confusing especially for global companies in relation to the US - where prevalent climate skepticism has led many companies to avoid obvious links to climate change when planning their CSR actions.""
For the moment, freelancers are not legally required to report on their own social responsibility - but for Sustainability Consultant Andrew Greenwood, reporting will probably “trickle its way down the supply chain.” Andrew explains however that the issue isn’t simply carbon: he sees the topics of biodiversity, green IT, and AI water usage becoming increasingly important to consider. “It’s all complimentary - you can’t look at everything just from a prism of your carbon impact.” Both Andrew and Solenn highlight biodiversity as a rising concern - Solenn explains that “most of the biodiversity topics are linked to the carbon solutions. Companies are far behind in their understanding of biodiversity - they will eventually have to care. Businesses are very dependent on ecosystems and ecosystem services, in order to protect revenue.”
For those looking to estimate their carbon footprint - either following a client’s request, or simply out of personal curiosity - there are a number of calculators available on the market:
You can add something about your carbon footprint directly into your Malt profile description - which will help clients find you when they’re looking for freelancers who are specifically aware and committed to environmental action.
Have you done any training related to CSR or other environmental concerns that you’d like to advertise on your Malt profile? If so, we suggest you add keywords to your profile description to communicate about these experiences. Some suggestions that clients may look for are as follows:
For our freelancers in France, take advantage of Malt’s partnership with Agence Lucie and sign up for a training program on one of many CSR-related topics.
“It’s all complimentary - you can’t look at everything just from a prism of your carbon impact.”"
Freelancers are expected to be proactive guardians of their own and their clients' data, making robust cybersecurity practices a non-negotiable aspect of their professional toolkit. We all know that human error in this instance presents a huge risk - that’s why we all must play our part in protecting our client’s data, as well as our own!
The digital landscape for independent contractors is fraught with risks, including sophisticated phishing attacks, malware disguised as project files, and impersonation scams where malicious actors pose as clients or CEOs to solicit funds or sensitive information. These threats are not just abstract risks; they can lead to compromised credentials, stolen data, and significant financial or reputational damage, making it imperative for freelancers to adopt a security-first mindset in all their digital communications and transactions.
To meet these challenges, freelancers must implement a multi-layered security approach. Key action items include but are certainly not limited to the following:
By integrating these practices into their daily workflow, and being prepared to discuss them during a prospective client interview, freelancers can build a resilient digital presence that fosters client trust and safeguards their business.
Hybrid working has become practically the norm over the last few years, and most “white collar” workers enjoy at least 1-2 days per week of remote work from home. You might think that for freelancers, in particular, most projects are done remotely - and while this is true, we can report that according to Malt’s own internal data, there’s been a sharp increase in on-site freelancing projects, which has more than doubled since 2022. It’s hitting everywhere - global companies from Amazon to Dell to Goldman Sachs are asking their employees to come back to the office.
There’s been a sharp increase in on-site freelancing projects, which has more than doubled since 2022.
How can you navigate these kinds of requests from your clients?
While you should always benefit from a certain level of freedom to organize your work as you like as a freelancer, we can all agree that in certain cases, close physical proximity with colleagues can be a catalyst for incredible creative collaboration and relationship building.
We know, we know - perhaps we’re starting to sound like a broken record when we talk about AI. You might be tired of hearing about how AI is revolutionizing the world of work - but it’s important to learn the different ways in which these technological advances can save you precious time to ship your work faster.
How can you ensure that you’re upskilling in the realm of AI, to keep your work at the cutting edge?
For starters, you can have a look at the different tips that Malt freelancers like Justin Tan and Alejandro Pérez Pérez have shared recently with our community, and integrate their best practices into your work.
In addition to that, you can sign up for a free online training course to learn how to get started with AI, for example:
Keeping up with new client expectations in 2025 shouldn’t be as complicated as learning to drive a manual car as a teenager - and, thankfully, Malt is here to guide the way, sharing customer insights with you - and not shouting at you to hit the brakes!
A word to the wise: to become an invaluable asset for your clients, you must adapt to evolving demands across several key areas:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Cybersecurity
Flexible working models
Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in your work
Meeting these new expectations means demonstrating environmental awareness, safeguarding data with robust security practices, offering adaptability in hybrid work arrangements, and continuously upskilling in AI tools and applications to enhance efficiency and innovation.
By proactively addressing these emerging priorities, freelancers can not only meet but exceed client expectations, solidifying their role as indispensable assets within high-performing Superteams. Embracing these shifts will empower independent professionals to thrive in the future of work, fostering stronger client relationships and securing impactful, cutting-edge projects.
