Full remote working - Perm or contract

[woohoo]

I worked remotely for two years on an 18 month and then a six month contract. Specialist financial applications.

The problem I had was after all that time I suffered from lack of motivation. I started out OK but after a while I found I was getting more and more distracted and depended on deadlines to get me to focus.

It's great in the short term or for one or two days a week. In the long term I'm not convinced it's conducive to getting lots done.

Everyone is different though.

Worked from home now for several years on and off. I usually find that the work is the demotivating bit, if it's same same then I get bored. But working from home is great but then I'm naturally an introvert so perhaps that helps.

Working on an interesting bit of work at the moment, so did a bit Sunday, started early today. It's the work that keeps me motivated not the place I do the work.

[MrMarkyMark]

It's because they get less work out of you when you are working remotely. And if that is not the case for you, then you are not working well enough when onsite. Comms overhead mainly.

Secondly, they have to discourage it or the entire team would want it. Generally for the employer, it's better to have you onsite.

Thirdly, I offer a discounted rate in order to tempt them into wfh. I've done three gigs like this now.

Depends on exactly what you do, surely?

As I said clients tend to get more from me WFH.
I only have a couple of regular meetings, each week, in any case any of these can be dial in.

Obviously, up to you if you wish to make yourself cheaper, I personally don't take this approach but everyone's situation is different.

[Fronttoback]

I work no more than 30 hours at home, same as the office when I used to.

Never taken a drop in pay to tempt client. I tempt them in other way, such as fixed price. If a client wants cheaper I shown them the door. Never undervalue your skills.

Fixed price! I cannot offer that. My work is too complex and prototype based to be planable to that degree from the start.

Dropping the rate a little (not much) is a good short term strat. You can push it up once they are dependent on you. Never want your rate to be at the top of a spreadsheet. It's a marathon not a sprint.

[clearedforlanding]

I work no more than 30 hours at home, same as the office when I used to.

Never taken a drop in pay to tempt client. I tempt them in other way, such as fixed price. If a client wants cheaper I shown them the door. Never undervalue your skills.

This. Also if you position yourself as a specialist consultant as opposed to a contractor, a higher price point can work in your favour as the perceived value is increased.

Hairdressers are a good case study in price positioning.

[MrMarkyMark]

Fixed price! I cannot offer that. My work is too complex and prototype based to be planable to that degree from the start.

Dropping the rate a little (not much) is a good short term strat. You can push it up once they are dependent on you. Never want your rate to be at the top of a spreadsheet. It's a marathon not a sprint.

Very good point .

I know for a fact that certain IBs run reports to work out who are on rates >= £700 PD.
If working for them you are better off remaining below that figure, as you will not get "looked at" on a regular basis.

[MrMarkyMark]

This. Also if you position yourself as a specialist consultant as opposed to a contractor, a higher price point can work in your favour as the perceived value is increased.

It can but that contract would have to super tight and cover what they have to deliver to you and by when, with penalties applied.

[clearedforlanding]

It can but that contract would have to super tight and cover what they have to deliver to you and by when, with penalties applied.

Agreed. However one must understand the difference between a tight contract and and an over granular one.

Over granuarlar is fustrating for both parties and the clientco may ride over you. Flexibility and good working dynamics are key -within the framework of a clear, tight contract.

I have long considered that contractors that have never participated in an RFP/RFQ/SOW excercise are at a disadvantage to those who have.

[clearedforlanding]

Very good point .

I know for a fact that certain IBs run reports to work out who are on rates >= £700 PD.
If working for them you are better off remaining below that figure, as you will not get "looked at" on a regular basis.

Which is why wherever possible get yourself on a different cost centre, or project code to the run of the mill contractors if positioning yourself as a consultant.

Case example: I was doing strategic alliance consultancy on intelligent cities. Position myself outside of IT and ended up on same cost centre as legal. 40k (eur) a month invoices were at the bottom of a any spreadsheet in that bucket.

Rant about many contractors not understanding business fundamentals placeholder here.

[clearedforlanding]

Very good point .

I know for a fact that certain IBs run reports to work out who are on rates >= £700 PD.
If working for them you are better off remaining below that figure, as you will not get "looked at" on a regular basis.

If you are direct with client yes. If going through an agency, the agency are going to push for as much as they can get anyway and increase their margins.

The perception that you are earning more than you are can lead to ridiculous expectations at clientco.

[MrMarkyMark]

Agreed. However one must understand the difference between a tight contract and and an over granular one.

Over granuarlar is fustrating for both parties and the clientco may ride over you. Flexibility and good working dynamics are key -within the framework of a clear, tight contract.

I have long considered that contractors that have never participated in an RFP/RFQ/SOW excercise are at a disadvantage to those who have.

Agreed, although I have only done similar exercises.

For example, recommending what needs to be done with cost based risk analysis provided, planned then resourced it, then got budget for 8 contractors of my choosing.

Which is why wherever possible get yourself on a different cost centre, or project code to the run of the mill contractors if positioning yourself as a consultant.

Case example: I was doing strategic alliance consultancy on intelligent cities. Position myself outside of IT and ended up on same cost centre as legal. 40k (eur) a month invoices were at the bottom of a any spreadsheet in that bucket.

Rant about many contractors not understanding business fundamentals placeholder here.

Regulatory budgets are good to be on where I am

Many being the operative word.
Some couldn't negotiate their way out of a paper bag