negotiation advice

[lambrini_socialist]

client wants me to renew for 12 months. prospect of being locked in for a year isn't appealing because it will mean (a) no rate rise for a year and (b) skills going stale. i'm definitely saying no to their offer (3 month's notice on my side and same rate as i'm currently on, no thanks!) but, assuming it comes down to negotiation and they don't say "well thanks and goodbye", what do you think my best options are? at the moment i'm considering offering to work 6 months on one rate, or 12 months on another, higher rate - does this seem completely arse-about-tit? i'm definately not signing up to 3 month's notice on my side, but am considering offering zero notice on their side. any advice much appreciated.

[Jaymaker]

Why don't you ask for an increase in rate and talk about reducing you notice period. 3 months is alot!

Mind you in this market agreeing to the 12 month contract is the secure option.

[DodgyAgent]

client wants me to renew for 12 months. prospect of being locked in for a year isn't appealing because it will mean (a) no rate rise for a year and (b) skills going stale. i'm definitely saying no to their offer (3 month's notice on my side and same rate as i'm currently on, no thanks!) but, assuming it comes down to negotiation and they don't say "well thanks and goodbye", what do you think my best options are? at the moment i'm considering offering to work 6 months on one rate, or 12 months on another, higher rate - does this seem completely arse-about-tit? i'm definately not signing up to 3 month's notice on my side, but am considering offering zero notice on their side. any advice much appreciated.

Change your name for a start and start acting like the capitalist contractor that you in fact are and negotiate.

[lambrini_socialist]

Change your name for a start and start acting like the capitalist contractor that you in fact are and negotiate.

the name is a (crap) pun. i'm no more of a socialist than you are a...hang on. oh. i see.

moving on: yes, i am planning to negotiate, hence this post, titled "negotiation advice" asking for - go on, guess - advice about my negotiations. so if any of you more experienced folks have some useful tips, either general or relating to this particular scenario, i'd really appreciate hearing them.

[BolshieBastard]

client wants me to renew for 12 months. prospect of being locked in for a year isn't appealing because it will mean (a) no rate rise for a year and (b) skills going stale. i'm definitely saying no to their offer (3 month's notice on my side and same rate as i'm currently on, no thanks!) but, assuming it comes down to negotiation and they don't say "well thanks and goodbye", what do you think my best options are? at the moment i'm considering offering to work 6 months on one rate, or 12 months on another, higher rate - does this seem completely arse-about-tit? i'm definately not signing up to 3 month's notice on my side, but am considering offering zero notice on their side. any advice much appreciated.

Hmmm, let's see, the market is contracting, you have an offer of 12 months work at your current rate.

Option is to turn it down and look for something else in a reducing market, hopeful of exceeding your current rate.

Personally, I'd take the 12 months contract. A higher rate (if you get it) is no good if its in a shorter contract (if any at all)!

[scooterscot]

client wants me to renew for 12 months. prospect of being locked in for a year isn't appealing because it will mean (a) no rate rise for a year and (b) skills going stale. i'm definitely saying no to their offer (3 month's notice on my side and same rate as i'm currently on, no thanks!) but, assuming it comes down to negotiation and they don't say "well thanks and goodbye", what do you think my best options are? at the moment i'm considering offering to work 6 months on one rate, or 12 months on another, higher rate - does this seem completely arse-about-tit? i'm definately not signing up to 3 month's notice on my side, but am considering offering zero notice on their side. any advice much appreciated.

12 months sounds like a prison sentence to me. If they are offering you 12 it's because you get on well do the job well they like you, they're not going to turn you away if you negotiate 6 months.

[Ravello]

Option is to turn it down and look for something else in a reducing market, hopeful of exceeding your current rate.

[OT] According to whom? Depends what area you're in; quite a few skills are still in heavy demand [/OT]

On Topic: In terms of negotiation decide which aspect is more important to you (shorter contract or higher rate) and negotiate accordingly i.e. If you prefer the shorter contract on the same rate, use the fact that you're not requesting a rate rise as leverage to get the shorter contract. If it's the higher rate you're after, highlight that by accepting longer terms you won't have the opportunity for a rate review, you're committing your company to the client for significant period etc.

As an aside, how long have you already been at the clientco?

[lambrini_socialist]

[OT] According to whom? Depends what area you're in; quite a few skills are still in heavy demand [/OT]

On Topic: In terms of negotiation decide which aspect is more important to you (shorter contract or higher rate) and negotiate accordingly i.e. If you prefer the shorter contract on the same rate, use the fact that you're not requesting a rate rise as leverage to get the shorter contract. If it's the higher rate you're after, highlight that by accepting longer terms you won't have the opportunity for a rate review, you're committing your company to the client for significant period etc.

As an aside, how long have you already been at the clientco?

cheers - those are the lines i'm thinking along. to answer your question, i'll have been here nearly a year when this contract runs out (had one renewal already).

[Ravello]

cheers - those are the lines i'm thinking along. to answer your question, i'll have been here nearly a year when this contract runs out (had one renewal already).

As an aside then; I'd definitely avoid signing a long term contract that takes you over the 2 year mark, since from the moment you sign anything that takes you over 2 years you are no longer able to claim travel expenses as it is deemed a permanent place of work.

[BolshieBastard]

[OT] According to whom? Depends what area you're in; quite a few skills are still in heavy demand [/OT]

On Topic: In terms of negotiation decide which aspect is more important to you (shorter contract or higher rate) and negotiate accordingly i.e. If you prefer the shorter contract on the same rate, use the fact that you're not requesting a rate rise as leverage to get the shorter contract. If it's the higher rate you're after, highlight that by accepting longer terms you won't have the opportunity for a rate review, you're committing your company to the client for significant period etc.

As an aside, how long have you already been at the clientco?

Well that would be a first, falling for some agencies talking themselves up! The only sector holding up at the moment is government contracts. Whether they'll continue to buck the trend remains to be seen.

But by all means encourage others to pass up a 12 month contract for what, an extra £25 a day perhaps for 3 months?