The on-demand business model is no longer seen as a choice between innovation or workplace benefits. As U.S. unemployment has dropped and the overall economy has improved, business strategies that address the chronic, costly challenge of finding, training and retaining talent are valued. “Whether it’s a software engineer or handymen, these are real skills and there’s a market for them,” said Teran of Managed by Q. And hiring employees is good for business. “Beyond the argument that it’s the right thing to do, it’s the clearest path to a sustainable business,” he said.