Anyone contemplating the Contractor Alliance Lark?

[rootsnall]

I think you should go out with at least one more 'boomed' post.

Wrong thread !

[Contractor UK]

Contractor Alliance

Good to see some positive feedback on here about the network, thank you

We've priced it at £25 so it doesn't cost contractors an arm and a leg to try out. Also if you take up any offers (insurance/contract reviews/BUPA etc), you'll more than get your money back.

The idea is to help contractors find co-workers and also introductions to clients via other members. One new member has said he's treading carefully regarding opening up his contact books, but we have designed the network so you have full control - what and which clients you list, those you'll accept any requests for referrals for (and those you won't). Ultimately you choose which CVs you forward on too. So you become a valuable resource for your client - and you can negotiate finder's fees with them to make it worth your while; and you stand to win more business through introductions other members offer you.

We do monitor the network to check it is not being abused by anyone joining who isn't a contractor, we've also set an initial limit on message numbers to prevent spamming and there is a spam alert so members can contact us.

I'm sure there is lots we can do improve, so we appreciate your feedback.

[darmstadt]

The GULP IT contractor website I use here is a bit like that. I pay a certain sum per year which gives me a number of bits what ain't open to the world some of which are very good. I quite like getting SMS messages of contracts available, the special website, classified ads, etc. Has been well worth it.

[malvolio]

Isn't that the idea behind the PCG 'collaborative freelancing' forum?

Sort of. I promoted the idea of that forum a while back, partly to see if the Portal would fly in the real world and partly to see how many people would be interested in team-sharing. Like the Portal itself, it needs both better promotion as a concept and a much more sophisticated tool, neither of which were forthcoming. Things may be changing though.

[DimPrawn]

"Trample the weak, hurdle the dead"

Should that not be "Trample the dead, hurdle the weak" ?

Since the dead will be lying on the floor and be trampled on and the weak will be standing, so hurdle them?

Personally I prefer to drive over everybody in a Hummer at full tilt.

[cojak]

As I said, I'll let you know if they do...

Gosh, me a reporter from the front line....

[threaded]

I too am worried that some of the less-than-honest agencies will spam and corrupt this rather lovely idea.

[cojak]

Fair enoughski.

I'll join and let you know how I get on.

First feedback: £25 is reasonable for a bit of toe-dipping.

[ratewhore]

Dunno. It sounds more like half of the Portal idea that's been kicking around PCG Towers for the last five years.

It's a good idea and I hope it works. I like the idea of having things that help me build my own network of potential co-workers - I can see it a use for it when building project teams and the like, or for digging up the odd specialist skills - but how do you keep the agencies at arm's length?

Isn't that the idea behind the PCG 'collaborative freelancing' forum?

[malvolio]

Or is it just a pale imitation of the PCG?

(Which wouldn't stop me from joining if I thought Cojak Ltd could benefit from it... )

Dunno. It sounds more like half of the Portal idea that's been kicking around PCG Towers for the last five years.

It's a good idea and I hope it works. I like the idea of having things that help me build my own network of potential co-workers - I can see it a use for it when building project teams and the like, or for digging up the odd specialist skills - but how do you keep the agencies at arm's length?

[threaded]

Just conducting my on business research, y'understand...

Yes

[ratewhore]

Or is it just a pale imitation of the PCG?

That crossed my mind. It's not on my radar right now but I'll let others join and see what the feedback is like.

[Barriebazg]

Yeah im going to join it methinks!!

[cojak]

Or is it just a pale imitation of the PCG?

(Which wouldn't stop me from joining if I thought Cojak Ltd could benefit from it... )

[cojak]

Just conducting my on business research, y'understand...