Agencies as Biz Introduction Services

[DodgyAgent]

Bit of an arse if they terminate your contract after you've been there for only a couple of months though, after the agency has taken 20% of a years contract.

You also get no payment protection, probably worse payment terms - no factoring of invoices etc...

As far as I can see, although you have marginally more IR35 protection, you get all the downsides of going direct, and none of financial benefits....

The agency gets you the work. You price it and plan it, and the agency gets 20%-part now part on completion. I doubt agencies will want to get involved in agreeing fixed price contracts or service level agreements for support as there may be penalty clauses built in and insurances required.

It is not a question of money it is because agencies would not understand any of the dynamics of doing work on any other basis.

If you want to become a software house, the best place to go is a previous client who likes and trusts you. You can take on a small bit of fixed price work/support and then expand it and then take what you have done to other clients. The best person to sell your services is you. Dont employ a salesman. You will need to sell it yourself, so get some sales training, or read some books.

[Jubber]

You can take on a small bit of fixed price work/support and then expand it and then take what you have done to other clients. The best person to sell your services is you. Dont employ a salesman. You will need to sell it yourself, so get some sales training, or read some books.

I do! I do! - I often get repeat work directly from previous clients I have worked for (which I have generated not agencies) but it is not enough. I don't want the hassle of employing other people but I do want a better way of contracting my services out than is available through agencies because of IR35.