Agencies!! Thy will be undone!!

**BianchiGuy** · 25 June 2006, 21:34

Hi Colart

I completely agree with you and it's something that I've often thought about.

It'd be very satisfying to bypass the whole lot of them.

There are websites such as www.noagenciesplease.com and www.freelancers.net which are a nod in the right direction but there's definitely room for improvement.

I'd love to see a revolution.

**TheMonkey** · 25 June 2006, 21:55

That looks like a convenient advert actually. I've made a few £K off noagenciesplease actually which is a good thing

**colart** · 26 June 2006, 08:29

Phased approach to freedom

Thanx for the info... Those sites are definitely going on my favourites list.

Maybe we need a phased approach...

Phase 1 : Sort the wheat from chaff

An unofficial agency review or rating site really be a handy first step. Then at least we can aviod the blatant sharks. The ratings should be on contract given criteria (not self promoting rubbish)... such as: contactability, responsiveness, courtesy, value for money...

Phase 2: Educate the employers.

Mobilise the might of the contractor population to help reveal the true nature of the pimp.

Phase 3: Promote and reward direct engagements

Testimonials, word-of-mouth,

**DodgyAgent** · 26 June 2006, 08:45

Originally posted by colart

Thanx for the info... Those sites are definitely going on my favourites list.

Maybe we need a phased approach...

Phase 1 : Sort the wheat from chaff

An unofficial agency review or rating site really be a handy first step. Then at least we can aviod the blatant sharks. The ratings should be on contract given criteria (not self promoting rubbish)... such as: contactability, responsiveness, courtesy, value for money...

Phase 2: Educate the employers.

Mobilise the might of the contractor population to help reveal the true nature of the pimp.

Phase 3: Promote and reward direct engagements

Testimonials, word-of-mouth,

If you fail to understand the basic dynamics of the agency system (from a business perspective rather than an emotional perspective) then you have no hope of replacing it with a better system. You sound more like a council promoting a new trendy politically correct "directive" than a serious businessman.
The difference is of course that the council has a monopoly which you dont

**Money Money Money** · 26 June 2006, 08:55

Originally posted by colart

I was just reading the artical on the 10 tricks used by agencies (http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00430.html) and realised that I have been a victim of at least 6! Show me a good agency and I'll show you the cancer in the system that adds absolutely no value to the supply chain!

scavengers, decievers, usurpers!

The question is... how the hell do we get rid of them? Is there any "Ebay" style marketplace where employers can find good quality contractors without having to go thru a pimp... where the site is managed and used responsibly and goodwill is promoted ?

Is anyone else in the mood for revolution?

There is a new agency, that are just like ebay, havern't used them but have a look, www.people4business.com

**DodgyAgent** · 26 June 2006, 09:04

Originally posted by Money Money Money

There is a new agency, that are just like ebay, havern't used them but have a look, www.people4business.com

Clients only want to sift through a few Cvs of candidates who have already expressed an interest in a particular job, who's availability and price is suitable and who have more or less the right skills for the job. Sticking up a website for contractors to post their CVs in the vain hope that clients will trawl through them and pi** about checking their suitability, skills, and most important of all their keenness on the job misses the point.

Back to the drawing board losers

""where the site is managed and used responsibly and goodwill is promoted""

alternatively you could go into the business of writing meaningless cliches for politicians

**Fleetwood** · 26 June 2006, 09:05

whose

**NickIT** · 26 June 2006, 09:11

All these sites are pork for HR!

How many people have captured roles from sites that require you to fillout forms regarding your experience when its all on your CV?

Very irritating...

To quote Yosser Hughes - Gissa Job!

**d1sco** · 26 June 2006, 10:53

But hey,

Originally posted by DodgyAgent

Clients only want to sift through a few Cvs of candidates who have already expressed an interest in a particular job, who's availability and price is suitable and who have more or less the right skills for the job. Sticking up a website for contractors to post their CVs in the vain hope that clients will trawl through them and pi** about checking their suitability, skills, and most important of all their keenness on the job misses the point.

Back to the drawing board losers

""where the site is managed and used responsibly and goodwill is promoted""

alternatively you could go into the business of writing meaningless cliches for politicians

But surely on people4business, they *can* check for the contractors' price, availability and skills? Isn't that the whole point?

Agencies!! Thy will be undone!!