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Welcome to the AZ-Tech team. We wish you every success in your new assignment. After a review of the contracts we have initiated in recent years, we have discovered some common themes that lead to the success of our people. We hope you will benefit from the following insights to ensure a smooth integration and the best possible outcomes for your career.
As a professional contractor you are undoubtedly aware that your reputation for high quality, timely technical and management services is the key to your future. Are you also aware that the way you conduct yourself and the level of client satisfaction you provide, is a direct reflection on the AZ-Tech organization, once we refer and recommend you. Effectively you become our ambassador in the field and we take a very real interest in your progress.
You may have discovered that the companies you work with have extensive industry networks and associations. Contractors normally earn significantly more than staff on salaries, so clients are looking for VALUE from their investment in your services. A single assignment that fails to produce timely agreed outcomes to the client’s expectation, may result in a perception that can inadvertently affect your career prospects and AZ-Tech’s reputation.
So what should the client be able to expect of you?
Generally, the client requires three things:
- Technical competency that conforms with what was promised (in
your resume or at interview)
- The ability to work alone without a great deal of support, or
with the client's existing team where you may need to fit in
with their methods, culture, etc., within a short timeframe.
- A keen desire and professional interest in achieving the
objectives of the assignment.
Take a moment now to look back through your past contracts.
If you have achieved these three key steps, chances are that you
have already built strong, long term relationships along the way
with clients that call upon you when needs arise in your field of
expertise. At times you may even receive permanent offers as a
direct result of your VALUE to them.
So what have we learned from observing our contract team in
action?
- Rapport. Contractors who make an effort to build
the relationship fare best. Minor hiccups are then more
easily overcome. Your cheerful disposition, cooperative
approach, ability to listen effectively and adapt to client
needs are critical to building a buffer against potential
problems. Many companies only require you when they are in
crisis. It is all too easy to call in a contractor and
then lay the blame for their ownlack of planning onto the
contractor if they are unable to perform a miracle at a moments
notice.
Sound familiar?
A manager usually calls an Agency for service when they:
- have a problem they can't solve themselves
- are so far behind schedule that they need external
resources to complete activities on time
- don't have the consistency of work to offer security of
tenure.
Whatever the reason, you can expect to be under pressure from day one. It is how you handle that pressure in a new environment that counts. Don’t forget we are there to back you up!
- Commencing an assignment on the
right foot is essential. I request that contractors
are inducted on commencement. However, this can be little
more than a cursory overview of safety and the site that leaves
you with more questions than answers. Take an inventory of
the resources that are already available to you and decide what else is needed. Obtain an internal contact list for the people you will need to deal with. Can you have a “buddy” allocated for routine advice and information? Create a checklist of computer tips and company systems administration requirements if using their computers. Whatever the software, most workplaces customise systems and have protocols for data management. Have you heard the one about the company that was unable to access a contractor’s computer files after he left them because he had created a password that prevented access? True story!
Make yourself aware of your responsibilities to the client’s document and information security protocols.
Speaking of computers and protocols, there are many issues arising from the inappropriate use of the internet for private purposes by contractors, matters of compliance with policy over offensive behaviour in the workplace such as inappropriate screen savers, email messages and the like. There are a whole host of common sense, courtesy issues along these lines, which we request you take into account to ensure the maintenance of good working relationships. Suffice it to say that you will wish to depart your client assignment with your reputation in
tact.
- Communication. After discovering what information you require, ask for a detailed briefing with whoever you report to.
You should seek to establish:
· a clear understanding of client expectations ie: time, methods, level of responsibility, reporting requirements etc.
· a regime of regular progress meetings (if you are asked to complete something by a deadline.
As a general rule, if you reach the point of 70% of time passing, with less than 50% of the activity completed, advise management and request that they decide whether to re-set the schedule, allocate additional resources etc so the situation is “managed”. Never try to blunder through in the hope that it will sort itself out. This is undoubtedly the single most frequent client complaint we deal with. Normally the client simply tells the contractor they have run out of work and then they complain to us because are not getting VALUE. How does your record of engagements stand up to scrutiny?
- Timekeeping. Whether you are independent or a PAYG contractor, you must keep a detailed daily record of all time spent. A client raised serious concerns recently of a contractor’s timesheet claims when they were reconciled against their electronic gate records. It was discovered that over a lengthy period, time was claimed that the contractor was not entitled to. Never abuse the trust shown by clients. Clients expect an accurate representation of time for payment and contractual flexibility is put in jeopardy by this type of breach of trust.
- Protecting your Agency
relationship. We introduce contractors to clients on a commercial basis. This often requires considerable preparation to advertise, gather information, format resumes, check references and negotiate introductions etc. Having made an introduction, we reserve the right to be involved with all negotiations for the contractor’s services while in progress, during the assignment and subsequently for a further period of six months. Do inform your consultant if another Agency has recently referred you to the same client, otherwise unnecessary complications can arise.
There may be occasions where a less than scrupulous manager tries to approach a contractor directly in order to cut out the agency and thereby avoid fees. There are consequences to proceeding down this path.
Firstly, once we become aware of this, we reserve the right to invoice the client for all services that are negotiated. If the fee remains unpaid there is the potential for initiation of legal proceedings to recover the debt. Secondly, our industry provides a substantial source of work to contractors. Once a contractor demonstrates a preparedness to circumvent their obligations to the Agency, that Agency is unlikely to offer further assignments. What was that point about protecting reputations and career opportunities?
The ethical procedure, if a client from an Agency referral makes such an approach, is to step back from the offer and remind the client that they have been introduced by that Agency and therefore all negotiations must be handled through them. You should read your contract to ensure you fully understand the process.
So what does AZ-Tech do for you?
We are here to protect your interests. Working through a reputable Agency provides introductions to employers together with a number of protections through the written contract that clearly spell out conditions and the responsibilities of all the parties to the agreement. Our goal is “no surprises”.
Agency insurances also provide additional protections. PAYG contractors receive all entitlements to statutory superannuation, Workcover, professional indemnity and public liability as well as a negotiated flat rate that takes casual loadings, allowances etc into account.
In addition, AZ-Tech pays all contractors on a weekly basis by EFT to your nominated bank accounts and handle credit control while guaranteeing your payments.
We are on call 24 hours a day to assist with any problems you may experience on site in meeting the client’s expectations. You are always welcome to involve us in any issue that concerns you, such as fair dealings, safety, site conditions, requirements for special consideration of illness, family problems etc that may affect your ability to complete deliverables.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of service, because we invest in your success.
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