Reply to: Charity Sector

[oscarose]

My experience of charities is that they are a big hard nosed business, just like everyone else. I learned that one the hard way though it took me years rather than months. It's all just business to me now.

As for them not listening to you, it's quite likely that they ARE listening but they know something that you don't or they have their own agenda. It sounds like you have made your point clearly and concisely, now it's time to shut up and keep your head down. Yeah, it's soul destroying. You just have to sit back and think of the money...

Yes it is. Mute mode started today and had a good day. The poll was very useful too.

[Wanderer]

I voiced my opinions to others in the business as I refuse to be muted as always do my best for the client. On one hand the naivety of the new IT manager is quite funny but not so funny the 3rd party is seemingly lining their pockets at the expense of a charity.

My experience of charities is that they are a big hard nosed business, just like everyone else. I learned that one the hard way though it took me years rather than months. It's all just business to me now.

As for them not listening to you, it's quite likely that they ARE listening but they know something that you don't or they have their own agenda. It sounds like you have made your point clearly and concisely, now it's time to shut up and keep your head down. Yeah, it's soul destroying. You just have to sit back and think of the money...

[SussexSeagull]

That's what permies do.

I'm a freelance contractor. I support myself, not an IT manager green behind the ears paying lip service to the rogue 3rd party.

The bench is a great place to hold lofty principals.

[SteelyDan]

FWIW, I think you've made the right decison. Sometimes you just have to say 'eff it, it just aint worth the grief'

[oscarose]

I will go with the flow and the 60% poll result. Will avoid the 3rd party supplier and carry on smiling and invoicing. The stress of taking on the 3rd party isn't worth it and I've already made my point.

Just winds me up all the sales spiel.

Thank you very much for your advise.

Regards, Oscar.

[oscarose]

then agree and support the final decision, no matter how stupid it might be.

That's what permies do.

I'm a freelance contractor. I support myself, not an IT manager green behind the ears paying lip service to the rogue 3rd party.

[SussexSeagull]

Do as we all have to do from time to time: Argue your case to the best of your talents then agree and support the final decision, no matter how stupid it might be.

[oscarose]

Like I say, it was just a thought. Good luck with it all.

No problem Dan. Permies build empires not us!
Thanks anyway as all input is welcome as helps gauge other perspectives.
Cheers, Oscar.

[SteelyDan]

Like I say, it was just a thought. Good luck with it all.

[oscarose]

[QUOTE=SteelyDan;1471270]

I would be very careful in this situation if I were you because you could go from hero to zero very quickly indeed.
QUOTE]

you are trying to feather your own nest in trying to derail the COTS option from the 3rd party?
.

Totally off the mark. I do have a few ideas how to improve the current application but haven't voiced them in public as not my remit.

[oscarose]

[QUOTE=SteelyDan;1471270]

I would be very careful in this situation if I were you because you could go from hero to zero very quickly indeed.
QUOTE]

Agree with this ^.

Reading this through, it seems you are on a personal crusade against a sneaky 3rd party.

Although you may have the best of intentions (in protecting the client), I think you need to re-focus on what you are actually there to do. As a contractor, treading on toes is probably not within your remit, but you seem perilously close to doing that & getting your fingers burned.

There's a time when it's safe to butt in, and a time to butt out. Recognising this is key.

Thanks for your input SD. However, I am not on a crusade. I am against 3rd party 'consultancies' bleeding the client dry via underhand tactics. If I'm burnt tomorrow it's no problem as I'll just move onto the next contract. In the meantime I'll cause havoc for the supplier 'Head of IT'.

[SteelyDan]

[QUOTE=cojak;1471232]
I would be very careful in this situation if I were you because you could go from hero to zero very quickly indeed.
QUOTE]

Agree with this ^.

Reading this through, it seems you are on a personal crusade against a sneaky 3rd party.

Although you may have the best of intentions (in protecting the client), I think you need to re-focus on what you are actually there to do. As a contractor, treading on toes is probably not within your remit, but you seem perilously close to doing that & getting your fingers burned.

There's a time when it's safe to butt in, and a time to butt out. Recognising this is key.

Do you think the reason for you being sent to Cov is because someone suspects you are trying to feather your own nest in trying to derail the COTS option from the 3rd party? Just a thought.

Sounds like there's a whole lot of politics going on here. Tread carefully.

[oscarose]

Well good luck!

The poll suggests you are correct Cojak and I totally respect your opinion.

But quite frankly, I've delivered improvements to the business which I know are appreciated by the ops team, hence the reference.

I realise I'm a contractor and shouldn't get involved in other matters. However, my issue is with the other 3rd party not the client.

I will go about exposing the other 3rd party in a very calculated matter.

[cojak]

Well good luck!

[oscarose]

Hi oscarose,

I would be very careful in this situation if I were you because you could go from hero to zero very quickly indeed.

Your contract and allegiance is with the client specified on said contract. You may be in big trouble if you do some in breach of that contract.

I would keep a log and document everything, keeping all emails to show that you are working in good faith.

Then get the hell out of there.

It's fine Cojak, I've already secured a reference from the head of operations so worse case is I'm burnt (with an excellent reference). Over the weekend I've started to think the best way forward is to take on the other 3rd party as nothing to lose. I've saved all emails to my personal account already showing my commitment to the work I was contracted to do.

Thanks for the advise anyway and you are probably right but I can't let blaggers and cowboy suppliers manipulate people to such a degree.