Agents commissions

[Another Dodgy Agent]

Most of them do, but no harm in giving them the occasional kicking to remind them of who's boss

Yay, the man's back!

[Stan.goodvibes]

As I mentioned a few pages back - it certainly seems that the relationship between contractors and agents has deteriorated over the years - I had total respect for the agents I met back in the mid-late 90's, and they seemed to appreciate that I wasn't just some overpaid monkey. That relationship still exists over here in NZ.

It may have taken you 10 years to build up the relationships you have with your clients, but its taken me 15 years + a degree and a lot of self-training to get to the point where I have value as a contractor.

The fact that you guys refer to agents as 'pimps' and there is so much hostility in this thread is indicative of the breakdown in relationships between agent-contractor and the lack of standards and self-regulation in the agency industry, that have IMHO caused the problem.

[expat]

As I mentioned a few pages back - it certainly seems that the relationship between contractors and agents has deteriorated over the years - I had total respect for the agents I met back in the mid-late 90's, and they seemed to appreciate that I wasn't just some overpaid monkey. That relationship still exists over here in NZ.

It may have taken you 10 years to build up the relationships you have with your clients, but its taken me 15 years + a degree and a lot of self-training to get to the point where I have value as a contractor.

The fact that you guys refer to agents as 'pimps' and there is so much hostility in this thread is indicative of the breakdown in relationships between agent-contractor and the lack of standards and self-regulation in the agency industry, that have IMHO caused the problem.

I think you have put your finger on something. The relationship seems to have got worse over the years, more years than back to just the 1990s. I suspect that being an agent became known as something that people could do instead of selling double-glazing, and attracted corresponding people. Doubtless something similar happened to the pool of contractors: I seem to remember us having - and deserving - more respect in earlier decades, when we wer few but good.

Of course it might just be that the internet allows us to know more about each other, and what we see isn't pretty.

[DodgyAgent]

I think you have put your finger on something. The relationship seems to have got worse over the years, more years than back to just the 1990s. I suspect that being an agent became known as something that people could do instead of selling double-glazing, and attracted corresponding people. Doubtless something similar happened to the pool of contractors: I seem to remember us having - and deserving - more respect in earlier decades, when we wer few but good.

Of course it might just be that the internet allows us to know more about each other, and what we see isn't pretty.

The cost of entry into this business is zero and the business model which amounts to no more than making 50 calls a day attracts many people who have no need to form long term relationships. The availability of so much information on the internet (references) enables this model. This recession may weed these people out but because the market is a constantly shifting target I think it is unlikely.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

It may have taken you 10 years to build up the relationships you have with your clients, but its taken me 15 years + a degree and a lot of self-training to get to the point where I have value as a contractor.

Clearly I made the right decision to go into recruitment then, 15 years is just madness!

[Another Dodgy Agent]

The cost of entry into this business is zero and the business model which amounts to no more than making 50 calls a day attracts many people who have no need to form long term relationships. The availability of so much information on the internet (references) enables this model. This recession may weed these people out but because the market is a constantly shifting target I think it is unlikely.

Which is why my company's approach is not only unique but value added. All of our consultants are ex techie's and specialise in the industry sector they originate from. For example we have 2 IT trainer's that run a training division providing TAP qualified trainers to companies, a Desktop Support Manager who specialises in the network/server/desktop support market, an ex Java Developer who specialises in providing Developers and so on. We don't employ sales people and we don't do sales targets.

We found that when we tried to recruit experienced agents that they brought some terrible traits with them, like the fishing for contact names, not providing candidates with feedback, no interest in building long term business relationships and it ended up affecting the business.

[Recruitment Agent]

A project manager that I supply to on a regular basis asked me to fill a position paying the contractor £400 per day and he said he needs to use the rest of the budget up as he will not get the same or even more in the new year and belive it or not there is an extra £150 per day to play with for an agency fee. The project manager specificly wants the agency to use this budget up by any means, i have been watching these arguments over the last few days, so if some one who wants a bigger budget for the follwing year requests for an agent to be typical agent is that moral for all you contractors?

[DodgyAgent]

Which is why my company's approach is not only unique but value added. All of our consultants are ex techie's and specialise in the industry sector they originate from. For example we have 2 IT trainer's that run a training division providing TAP qualified trainers to companies, a Desktop Support Manager who specialises in the network/server/desktop support market, an ex Java Developer who specialises in providing Developers and so on. We don't employ sales people and we don't do sales targets.

We found that when we tried to recruit experienced agents that they brought some terrible traits with them, like the fishing for contact names, not providing candidates with feedback, no interest in building long term business relationships and it ended up affecting the business.

I dont have any techies working for me just lots of crumpet with large n****s who go out for long lunches with clients and contractors.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

I dont have any techies working for me just lots of crumpet with large n****s who go out for long lunches with clients and contractors.

Think I want to come and work with you!

[lightng]

I dont have any techies working for me just lots of crumpet with large n****s who go out for long lunches with clients and contractors.

Do you cover the north-west? Tell me where to send my CV