Overview:
Stanford Graduate School of Business students are assigned a class project that includes opening an UpWork client account, posting a job, hiring a freelancer, and reviewing/collecting data regarding who submitted a proposal. This is a team project where 3 to 4 students are working together. 2020 dates of the project are: April 3rd - May 5th, 2020.
Teams are producing an “explainer video”. Typically 2 freelancers will be hired via a Fixed Price contract, but these contracts can occasionally be hourly. One freelancer will produce the video while the 2nd freelancer will complete animation. Contract payments will be $200-$300 per freelancer.
Annually, the Stanford University contact (Nonna Kocharyan (2020) nonna@stanford.edu) reaches out via email prior to the start of the project to discuss any new platform changes that could potentially impact the project. An EE agent will be assigned to this project annually and will be the point of contact and responsible for ongoing communications with the University and internal teams.
- Past Pain Points
- Account sharing
- Vague job posts were flagged for “free work”
- Payment method issues resulted in suspension (same CC used on multiple accounts was not updated in a timely manner)
- EE’s goal is to ensure accounts are not suspended unnecessarily
EE Process:
Once contact is initiated between the University and EE:
1. Email the University contact a reminder including:
a. required proper admin set up
i. to avoid account sharing violations
ii. any additional details as needed to have a smooth project completion
iii. upon completion of the project, students will need to close all contracts and job posts
2. Once the student accounts are created
a. Stanford contact will provide a spreadsheet of all associated accounts
b. EE will add CSS notes to all accounts stating (approx. 50 accounts):
i. “Do not action account without contacting CE manager/EE- (EE Agent Point) first. Stanford University Student program.”
ii. EE is the single point of contact for any issues from Stanford and related teams who may flag an account
iii. Add 60 days free Plus Trial to each account
3. Contact CE Lead
a. EE will stay in communication with CE TL as the project begins
b. CE will approve the process and make recommended changes as needed
c. CE agents will be notified prior to beginning of the student project to be on the lookout of any associated account flags
d. Should any accounts be flagged- no action should be taken until review with CE management and EE
e. If needed, CE may mark a job post private until a review can be completed
f. Based on the situation, EE will contact Stanford to discuss the issue and include any needed students to ensure account security is kept
4. Once project is complete
a. The contact point from Stanford will email informing the project is complete
i. Remind contact all contracts and job posts should be closed. and change b. to the following b. EE will cancel Client Plus to avoid unintentional billing and close all accounts
b. EE will cancel Client Plus to avoid unintentional billing