#Japan #Minato #Lotful #Freelance Workforce #Staff Matching

Unveiling the Results of the Latest Survey on Lotful's Freelance Matching Service

In a recent survey conducted by Lotful Company, a leading platform for matching freelance workers with companies, several significant trends regarding the utilization of freelance labor have come to light. Headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Lotful operates under the aegis of Persol Group, committed to their vision of “Work and Smile.” The survey was aimed at company employees aged 20 to 40 and focused on the current landscape of freelance utilization in positions lacking dedicated staff.

Key Findings from the Survey

Areas Lacking Dedicated Staff

The survey revealed that certain pivotal areas like sales, information systems, UX/UI design, were frequently identified as lacking dedicated personnel. A telling 14.8% reported that there is no full-time staff for sales, while 12.5% indicated the same for both information systems and design positions. This raises concerns about potential risks to business fundamentals, as these areas are crucial for revenue, IT infrastructure, and customer experience. Particularly concerning was that even in large firms with over 500 employees, significant portions of specialized roles like finance or digital transformation initiatives were often reported as lacking dedicated staff.

Recruitment Priorities and Resource Allocation

When asked about the reasons behind these gaps, 23.9% of respondents cited difficulties in hiring as a primary concern. Following closely were responses indicating that these roles had low hiring priority or that workloads were light. This reflects a broader trend where not only are businesses struggling to find qualified candidates, but the fluctuating workload dynamics and unique nature of these roles often make full-time placements challenging. Such conditions can lead to diminished focus on critical positions, considerably hindering operational efficiency.

Identified Risks: Opportunity Loss and Delayed Judgments

The survey participants pointed out various challenges posed by the absence of dedicated staff, with 25.7% mentioning critical tasks are often backlogged. Additionally, over 25% indicated that a lack of specialization could lead to delayed or erroneous decisions and concerns regarding the continuity of operations. While these issues may not surface immediately, they pose a significant threat to long-term competitiveness and sustainability, representing a “quiet loss of opportunity” that organizations cannot afford to neglect.

Varying Strategies by Company Size

The survey highlighted a divergence in strategies concerning staffing shortages between small and large businesses. Approximately 30.3% of companies continue to rely on employee dual roles, especially among firms with under ten employees. In contrast, larger corporations (with over 1,001 employees) often turn to external consultants (35.4%) or explore hiring permanent staff, showcasing a distinct approach to mitigate the operational gaps resulting from the absence of specialized roles.

Utilizing Freelancers for Key Roles

Interestingly, positions like recruitment advertising and marketing saw a notable dependency on freelance workers, with 36.8% acknowledging that they employed freelancers in areas where dedicated staff were lacking. Freelancers bring innovative views and critical operational support to such essential roles. The increased adoption of freelance labor emphasizes its transformative potential as organizations aim to enhance their hiring processes and overall operational efficiency.

Conclusion and the Path Forward

Lotful’s survey underscores a critical need for businesses to rethink their recruitment strategies. With significant roles going unfilled, companies risk faltering on pivotal projects as operational backlogs mount. However, by incorporating freelancers as strategic partners rather than viewing them solely as stop-gap measures, organizations like Lotful are pioneering a fresh approach to addressing these challenges. These efforts are not just about filling gaps; they represent a forward-thinking shift toward leveraging flexible talent to enhance business capabilities and maintain a competitive edge in an ever-evolving economic landscape.

Additional Information

This survey was conducted from September 2 to 8, 2025, targeting 660 individuals across various companies in Japan. The insights gathered serve as a valuable resource for understanding contemporary workforce dynamics and the role freelance labor plays in the modern economy, particularly within the context of systemic challenges that many companies face today.