The Financial Times reported that Regus Boss Mark Dixon, predicts a surge in home working, as companies looking to tighten their belts, get more staff to work from home.

Will this be a passing fad when the recession ends or will we see a paradigm shift in how we work and handle the work/life balance?

Denis O'Donnell from Hired Help Ltd, agrees with the Regus founder.  "We are creatures of habit and the habit of getting up every day and going to a place of work is ingrained in our culture.  However, it is a relatively recent phenomena, brought about by the industrial revolution.  Before that, home working was the norm."

The methods of work used for the last 150 years have enslaved us to the need to congregate in a communal work place.  What people will find now, is that the need for that enslavement is fading for those working in knowledge based industries.

Fast internet connectivity, the huge array of enabling new technology  and the blossoming virtual world of providers will change our need to congregate.

Our own business, Hired Help, provides individuals and professionals all the support functionality they need on tap, on a "pay-as-you-go" basis.

It used to mean setting up a new business meant a commitment to always being available, working horrendously long hours and making big commitments to lease premises, buy equipment and take on staff.  Today, all of that is available on-demand.  You can eb a one manor woman band, but have an army of resource available to use.

The good thing about the credit crunch, may be that it has boosted the trend to homeshoring - outsorcing and homeworking. 

I think there will be a sunami of change in the economy over the next 60 months.  Hired Help will be one of the contenders for driving that change.