Successfully setting up your own Consultancy/Software House/Agency

[Xenophon]

This is how grownups look at the world.

... and if they annoy you, punch 'em in the face!

[norrahe]

The last agency I was with, was started up by an ex contractor but he seems to be stuck with getting gigs at his ex client and he is going to find it difficult if he doesn't get someone with sales nounce on his books.

Not sure they are coining it in as they have 5 contractors on their books on a 15% cut.

They are up against the bigger players and will lose out to them as these guys have got the sales pitch.

[DodgyAgent]

I know several groups of people who have. In every case but one the end result was bankrupcy.

And the reasons are rarely in the delivery of service but are more to do with how to find business and managing cash flow.

[MarillionFan]

... and if they annoy you, punch 'em in the face!

Come on I think thats enough of this 'MF gives people a whack' nonsense.

Twice. I've done it twice. No tell a lie, three times, no four times.

Four times. Thats it. That's over a 10 year period. It's hardly something I do all the time is it!

[AtW]

That's over a 10 year period.

Next time you'll get life mate

[norrahe]

And the reasons are rarely in the delivery of service but are more to do with how to find business and managing cash flow.

Also don't p!ss of the contractors on your books otherwise you'll lose them to other agencies.

You need to see who you are up against in the market and how you can get yourself in before they do and making sure that the people you've got on board impress enough that you get repeat business.

[DodgyAgent]

The last agency I was with, was started up by an ex contractor but he seems to be stuck with getting gigs at his ex client and he is going to find it difficult if he doesn't get someone with sales nounce on his books.

Not sure they are coining it in as they have 5 contractors on their books on a 15% cut.

They are up against the bigger players and will lose out to them as these guys have got the sales pitch.

[DodgyAgent]

Also don't p!ss of the contractors on your books otherwise you'll lose them to other agencies.

You need to see who you are up against in the market and how you can get yourself in before they do and making sure that the people you've got on board impress enough that you get repeat business.

It is the clients that you need to look after not the contractors ( i am not saying that I dont look after them, because I do-better than most). Contractors are happy as long as they get a job and get paid. They are also very unlikely to jump ship to another agency mid contract.

Where I do think agencies are missing a trick at the moment though is that right now there are a lot of senior freelancers out there being treated pretty indifferently by agencies. These freelancers will one day be back in work and hiring so now is a good time for agencies to ingratiate themselves with people who would normally not give them the time of day.

[Tarquin Farquhar]

It is the clients that you need to look after not the contractors ( i am not saying that I dont look after them, because I do-better than most). Contractors are happy as long as they get a job and get paid. They are also very unlikely to jump ship to another agency mid contract.

Where I do think agencies are missing a trick at the moment though is that right now there are a lot of senior freelancers out there being treated pretty indifferently by agencies. These freelancers will one day be back in work and hiring so now is a good time for agencies to ingratiate themselves with people who would normally not give them the time of day.

I have to agree with that. After a long and dire period on the bench, I am now in a contract on the lowest rate I have had in over 10 years. You won't find me badmouthing the agency for that: I've got a contract at all, and the mortgage paid at least, because they kept me in mind. I'll keep them in mind too.