Contractors need to sell themselves as a Cloud resource

[cojak]

I think that we need to look beyond IR35, to see ourselves as working beyond that and to show companies that contractors are still a valuable resource.

As I'm in a project building a new cloud environment for a client, it's suddenly occurred to us that contractors need to sell themselves in the same way that Microsoft sells Azure - "Scale when you need to, pay as you go".

Companies are beginning to understand that benefits of cloud computing rather than resent it, we need them to feel the same about contracting.

What do you think?

[northernladuk]

My immediate thought you are compare apples and pears. Azure is a configurable flexible platform and all that. A contractor offers a single highly skilled service. A client either needs it full time or they don't. Azure is a jigsaw that can be anything when finished, a contractor is just a single piece of that jigsaw. If you can start to think like this at all it's going to take bigger change in clients view than it is the way we market ourselves. No good trying to sell something the client doesn't want or understand.

There maybe a few that can position themselves like this but am not sure how the vast majority can.

Any more thoughts on what the offering might look like?

[cojak]

Contractors need to sell themselves as a Cloud resource

No, Azure is there all the time, but the usage of Azure can fall and rise to meet the capacity levels of the client. As a retailer example they can ramp up just before Xmas and let the resource go in the New Year.

Remind you of anything?

[northernladuk]

SWMBO and my credit card use?

Hmm might have to think on this one to see it working. Maybe someone a bit smarter than me will post and all will become clearer.

[LondonManc]

No, Azure is there all the time, but the usage of Azure can fall and rise to meet the capacity levels of the client. As a retailer example they can ramp up just before Xmas and let the resource go in the New Year.

Remind you of anything?

Zero hour contracts. We've got a thread for that.

[cojak]

Yes, I suppose there is that

[LondonManc]

Yes, I suppose there is that

Sorry to rain on your parade.

I like the idea in principle but there's a danger of the right resource not being available as you ramp up. Unless those already on the project are prepared to put an extra shift in to increase capacity, you could still leave yourself short. Virtual consultancies of mixed end to end resources are a distinct possibility though; especially with contractors you can trust. That said, your payment terms would definitely need to be paid when paid to reflect the B2B nature - work in Jan is paid is invoiced for in February and paid second week in March for example.

[cojak]

Thinking about it its supply and demand.

Skilled contractors have always been in demand and not worried about a lack of permanence.

If we don't like the contract we don't sign it - it's always been like that.

[northernladuk]

You are talking about quite a small number of contractors there.

[LondonManc]

Thinking about it its supply and demand.

Skilled contractors have always been in demand and not worried about a lack of permanence.

If we don't like the contract we don't sign it - it's always been like that.

I agree. But what if, from your pool of trusted contractors, there aren't four suitable developers available when you need them, only two? Do you take the risk that two will be able to do it, based on their say so?