Since 2020, N2 Help & Solutions has gathered more than 50 freelance experts in ESM (enterprise service management) and ServiceNow from around the world. In addition to offering a collective work structure, N2 offers its members, called “players”, a different perspective. This difference is expressed in our vision:
We build communities and solve problems. For us, technology is not an end in itself, but a simple tool to better meet the needs of our players. We believe in innovation, entrepreneurship, loyalty, and diversity. We are different by nature. We believe in the transformative potential of the world of work and help those who wish to embark on the adventure to try the experience.
Since August 2023, to develop this vision, we have started in-depth work on the definition of a freelance collective. We asked ourselves questions such as:
- Why can freelancers choose to come together?
- What are the elements that will support freelancers within the collective?
- What can make one collective more attractive than another?
- Thanks to what tools and services can a freelance collective self-manage and enjoy investing in community life?
In seeking to answer these questions, we discovered that an intangible element brings together all the ServiceNow and ESM experts who have chosen to join us. Without exception, they all share common values that they say they find within the N2 collective.
In order to make these values, which seem to gather our players, more concrete, we decided to build a charter of values for the N2 Help & Solutions collective. This kind of constitution materializes our common points while further defining this “safe place”, so dear to the vision of the two co-founders of the collective, Nicolas Delaby and Nicolas Hoffman.
Four months later, following numerous interviews with members of the collective, Myriam Allouche, our Human Resources specialist, and Yanina Trubchanka, intercultural mediation consultant and certified coach, proposed eight key values to us. These values will serve as the basis for the continuous development of our community from early 2024. We firmly believe that this common foundation, combined with our recruitment process and the certification of our members’ skills, will greatly help to distinguish N2 Help & Solutions from all other existing IT freelancer collectives.
Collective of freelancers: common values as the basis of collective identity
What is a collective of freelancers?
It’s much more than a simple reorganization of work. Indeed, by combining the advantages of a traditional company with the flexibility of freelancing, the collective offers maximum value to its members and their clients. It facilitates the rapid launch of new projects and highlights the high expertise of its members. Freelancers, thanks to the collective, can quickly form a team to meet specific needs.
In this constantly evolving context that often exceeds legal limits, we have considered building a foundation that would serve as a guide for working together. It’s an identity, a kind of DNA of the collective where everyone can find themselves, regardless of their job, their region of the world, or the language they speak.
After all, we spend about 80,000 hours at work in a lifetime! It seemed important to us to enhance this shared time with a common code that we can refer to if necessary.
Often in the freelance world, the main goal is financial expansion, navigating between competition stakes. However, does everything boil down to this financial performance? At N2 Help & Solutions, we challenge this theory, considering it too simplistic and reductive for freelancers.
To express this collective identity in a more lively and effective way to those who would like to join us, we have developed the N2 values charter, our own compass. We have all collaborated, collective members, support team and intercultural mediator, to give life to this compass. Thus was born the N2 charter, guiding towards shared values and ethics that we all apply in our mutual interactions and with our clients.
The 8 key values of the N2 Help & Solutions collective
1. Respect for each other
Every member of the N2 collective respects the religious, cultural, and ideological convictions of other players, clients, and partners, even if they differ from their own. They respect every player’s right to freedom of speech.
2. Be professional
We are all responsible for our own work and results, committing to take action to achieve both individual and collective goals. To remain competitive, our collective seeks to develop cutting-edge practices allowing us to respond to market demand changes and offer innovative solutions.
3. Bet on Mutual Support
We are bound by solidarity, mutual support, and cooperation, committing to working together. We encourage regular and constructive feedback to help improve the performance of each member of the collective and the collective as a whole. This value elevates our performance and expertise with clients through continuous skill improvement.
4. Get involved in Collegiality
We make every effort to promote collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork within the N2 collective. On a daily basis, we create a working environment where collective members collaborate harmoniously, share knowledge and skills, and work together to achieve the goals of different projects. With this value, we aim to establish a positive working environment where collective members feel valued, engaged, and connected to each other. Together, we contribute to the decisions made within our collective .
5. Be Confident and Inspire Trust
Essential to the smooth functioning of our collective, trust is demonstrated through loyalty, honesty, and kindness towards each of us. We must exchange in good faith and with a spirit respectful of everyone’s expectations, whether it be with other members, external partners, suppliers, or clients. We commit to communicating transparently and sharing relevant information regularly with all members of the collective.
6. Seek to Innovate, Learn, and Initiate
This value emphasises innovation by encouraging members to develop new ideas, take initiatives, and experiment with new approaches. It can also enhance the productivity and creativity of the organisation by encouraging diversity in ideas and perspectives. We aim to establish a learning culture within the collective so that ideas are seen as opportunities for discoveries, and mistakes as opportunities for learning. In doing so, we want learning to be at the centre of our activities so that we can draw lessons from our daily experiences.
7. Give and Take Responsibility
We value taking and sharing responsibilities within our collective. Encouraging members to take responsibility and accept the outcome of their actions is a cornerstone of our culture. This approach not only fosters a culture of responsibility but also increases commitment. Our integrity is part of our commitments. It remains embedded in our approaches, whether we seize exciting opportunities or take responsibility when things don’t go as planned. We accept full responsibility for our commitments and we are determined to empower others with the means and trust they need to fulfil their commitments.
8. Act as Ambassadors for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
We believe that diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging are essential for creating a dynamic and fulfilling environment. Our commitment to these principles goes beyond mere statements and is manifested in our daily actions.
In addition to these 8 keys values, we add two more very important points to our charter :
- Work on Unconscious Biases (quick judgments lacking impartiality and objectivity for or against a person, group, or idea): We acknowledge that these judgments can influence our decisions and interactions. We have implemented awareness and training programs aimed at identifying and reducing these biases. By understanding and working on our own prejudices, we promote an environment where everyone is treated fairly and has the opportunity to thrive. This approach is already integrated into our recruitment process.
- Multicultural Sourcing: To ensure an objective evaluation of candidates, we have instituted a dual-approval approach. Each candidate is met by two evaluators from different cultures and backgrounds. This approach ensures that our recruitment decisions are informed by a variety of perspectives, contributing to better decision-making and the promotion of diversity within our collective. We firmly believe that inclusion and diversity strengthen our collective and stimulate our creativity. As ambassadors of these values, we constantly strive to go beyond words to create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to bring out their best.
Practical application of values in the N2 Collective
We place the human at the center of our functioning.
With the upcoming implementation of the Ethic Lab, a new autonomous body meant to support and accompany each freelancer in their professional journey, we wish to guarantee this foundation of collective values.
Our goal is to respond in an innovative and agile way to the specific needs of our members, with a focus on resolving disputes with peers or clients. We firmly believe that the success of our collective depends on effective human relations management. That’s why we strive to identify and share “best practices” to enrich everyone’s experience. By adopting this approach, we commit to promoting the continuous growth of our collective.
