Reply to: Looking to re-negotiate

[ratewhore]

All great advice and thanks for that.

My final question is:

If I do embark on re-negotiation and I does not yield the increase that I perceive to be fair, do I

A: Set T&Cs to be 1 month rolling with 1 week notice (so I can leave when I find another position)
B: Stick with the 1 month, look for a new position and then jump when I find one (within the terms of the contract)


Thanks all

It's your contract, your client, and only you know the contextual intracacies of the relationships involved.

ergo, you're the only one who can make that call...

[BlackenedBiker]

All great advice and thanks for that.

My final question is:

If I do embark on re-negotiation and I does not yield the increase that I perceive to be fair, do I

A: Set T&Cs to be 1 month rolling with 1 week notice (so I can leave when I find another position)
B: Stick with the 1 month, look for a new position and then jump when I find one (within the terms of the contract)


Thanks all

[ratewhore]

Passable strategy, though prefer mine, negotiate rate with client first then agent on margin, gives me extra leverage to have done his work for him already.

Plus never known to agent who was any good at negotiating rate increases (and don't really blame them, they don't generally have enough inside knowledge of client situation and how needed I am, while I do)

Fair one, each to their own, more than one way to skin a cat, etc etc.

I feel that, because I have no direct contractual relationship with the end client, that's not the right vehicle for my negotiations.

Passable it may be, but it's done me right for many years so far. As I've always been able to increase my rate, I'll stick to it I think...

[MonzaMike]

Try telling the client that your preferred way of working is to stay until the project/work is completed and that this is what you'd like to do.

Advise them that you sometimes/often get calls about other roles, but don't like to look elsewhere while you're in contract.

Then raise the concern that the rate that they are proposing is jeopardising this position. Tell them that you are concerned that the poor rate will make it more likely that you may have to look at other roles and maybe leave at a timing that is less convenient to them.

How you couch this depends greatly on how you get on with your line manager. If you are really valued then most will do what they can to keep you on board. If you misread this then all you're doing is giving them a heads up to find someone else to replace you at a time that suits them.

[Not So Wise]

Incidentally, my 'strategy' has always been to negotiate with the agent, not the client. Then, you can also negotiate their margin...

Passable strategy, though prefer mine, negotiate rate with client first then agent on margin, gives me extra leverage to have done his work for him already.

Plus never known to agent who was any good at negotiating rate increases (and don't really blame them, they don't generally have enough inside knowledge of client situation and how needed I am, while I do)

[ratewhore]

To summarise then, you have no negotiating points beyond what has already been said:

• Have a backup gig lined up
• Be prepared to be on the bench

Not knowing what you do, I would say the presentation would be a waste of time. But do it anyway and let us know how you get on.

Incidentally, my 'strategy' has always been to negotiate with the agent, not the client. Then, you can also negotiate their margin...

[BrilloPad]

I am working at the moment and thanking my lucky stars.

I am in a contract that is due to come to an end in mid-October but I have been told that there is a likelihood of a 12 month extension.

There is a fly in the oitment though.....

I am not getting a rate that is comensurate with the role and responsibilities that I have taken on, in fact I am 40% down!!!!!!

Obviously I want to deal with this at the point of extension. I am aware that getting back to 100% is perhaps unrealistic but 85% is perhaps the place I want to be.

What I am looking for are good effective strategies for engaging the clientco in a dialogue regarding this.

I want the money but I don't want to jepordise the extension should it materialize

Any ideas esteemed readers....

Got another job. Either that or pretend you have. You might need big balls for the second option.

[Not So Wise]

Is it worth saying to client if negotiations don't go well.

I will only accept a 1 month rolling with 1 week notice (basically saying: I am looking and when I find what I want I am off).

Or do I say nowt and then split when the mega-boom position comes my way

Only you will know because only you know your client and type of work you do and what the workload is

My client knows i will split during first quarter of next year, but only reason told him that is because did not want him to dump a long running project that was on the horizon on my lap because i would not be finishing it (plus project was FUBAR'ed before it even started) and because i knew there were more than enough smaller projects to justify keeping me on

[BlackenedBiker]

Is it worth saying to client if negotiations don't go well.

I will only accept a 1 month rolling with 1 week notice (basically saying: I am looking and when I find what I want I am off).

Or do I say nowt and then split when the mega-boom position comes my way

[BlackenedBiker]

Make a cogent presentation to the client detailing exactly why you're worth what you claim. Do you write code 2X faster than other contractors? Are you a PM who can show how you've saved a lot on budgets or brought projects in ahead of schedule? Are you in management and have brought in new business to the client?

Great suggestion (I will do this as well)

Thanks

[d000hg]

Make a cogent presentation to the client detailing exactly why you're worth what you claim. Do you write code 2X faster than other contractors? Are you a PM who can show how you've saved a lot on budgets or brought projects in ahead of schedule? Are you in management and have brought in new business to the client?

[BlackenedBiker]

Tut tut.

I seem to recall very recently that I warned you about getting a shock come renewal time. I take it that you lucrative £500+ contract has been 'corrected' to reflect current rates then?

Ironically, I've just found a new role on 50% more than my current one!

I'd take what is on offer unless you are confident of walking into another £500 gig.

Congrats on the new role.

If you recall correctly I say asking the forum what the minimum should be for a position bearing in mind all of the risks, responsibilities etc we have to cope with as freelancers.

I never said "I am on £xxxx", I said I think that this is fair as a minimum for my line of work.

This is the next part of my quest to gain what I am worth (and what I think UK contractors with good skills should be worth : - ie. more than a half-baked floor tiler), to re-negotiate.

I am looking for strategy tips:

So far I have gleaned:

A: Look for alternative job (will do this)
B: Be prepared to walk (will if I have another position)

However, I was hoping for more:

Such as is it okay to ask and negotiate hard and then to stay on if negotiations don't go well, and just leave (with notice given) if a better position can be obtained, this is an extension after all.

Thanks

[Not So Wise]

Unless you leaving would seriously mess them up and or you were actually willing and prepared to walk if your bluff is called, your room for negotiation in current market is limited

If it makes you feel any better quite a lot of people (myself included) in exact same boat at the moment.

[Shimano105]

Tut tut.

I seem to recall very recently that I warned you about getting a shock come renewal time. I take it that you lucrative £500+ contract has been 'corrected' to reflect current rates then?

Ironically, I've just found a new role on 50% more than my current one!

I'd take what is on offer unless you are confident of walking into another £500 gig.

[gerryW]

I always believe its harder to re-negotiate a rate once in a position unless you have a counter offer and in the present climate may not be so easy to find.
As the customer may wish just to call your bluff unless you accept the deal on the table.