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Posted By Andrew Perrett
I seem to remember a line of discussion decrying consultants, (big charges, big cars, good life, counting sheep etc.).
I’ve found that the tide of fortune has turned. There’s been several threads recently, typically ‘ I work for an Engineering Co, problems with the welders, can you supply ideas and products to resolve’, that when you see who has posted the thread, (thinking, that’s an interesting one, I wonder if they are in my regional branch, must discuss at the meetings), the email address appears to link straight to a Consultancy website, advertising guidance and advice!
One can only assume that the times are so hard the back offices at Consultancies are given to small engineering works, window boxes to market gardening etc etc.
Andrew
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Posted By Lumpy
What's your point ?
I'm in full time employment, and offer part time consultancy to a few clients. I use this bulletin board for both.
Lumpy
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Posted By Nick Higginson
Andrew
I must admit, I'm not totally sure of your point either?
I've worked for a plc consultancy for the last 3 years and their workload (and profits) have gone through the roof!
Currently setting up my own consultancy, and just took delivery of a big car!
Regards
Nic
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Posted By Andrew Perrett
Lumpy/Nic
Several Friday thoughts really; to save going off in all directions the first is:
Transparency.
Help, advice and experience is freely and generously provided for all of those of us who are pondering life’s (Health and Safety) problems. The majority of the answers carry great depth and guidance which clearly takes time to consider and give. That advice is clearly free to all, Managers Advisers, consultants and anyone stumbling onto the public forum, alike. Whether you declare your perspective is neither here or there, but if you purport to be something else, is this less than transparent?
The only explanation I can think of is that there is a perception that there will be better responses to a posting starting, ‘I am on the shop floor struggling to deal with this H&S issue’ as opposed to ‘I’m a consultant preparing a study into..’ If I’ve missed a more obvious explanation, I apologise!!
Do those who take the time to contribute the advice deserve the transparency or is it is a case of it’s a public forum; that’s the way it is.
Andrew
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Posted By Nick Higginson
Andrew
Can't speak for others, but if I'm in the c**p, I'll gladly come on and say!
I would offer any assistance I could to other consultants in the same position.
Kind regards
Nick
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Posted By AjSaunders
I still dont fully understand the point of this thread.
I too work full time and offer p/t consultancy work, and have a few clients. I do not have a problem offering advice for free - even to clients more than happy to pay for it.
I think the vast majority of people on this forum - consultant, advisor or otherwise would do the same if they were in the position to.
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Posted By peter gotch
I think Andrew's point is that some consultants are asking for help, [sometimes on issues that a competent consultant who keeps up to date should know, eg what developments are in the pipeline], so that they can then sell this advice on.
Should they not do their own research? Part of the CPD process !!
Worse, if a consultant helps out, then, if their advice is wrong, or used out of context, then potentially their own PII is on the line.
Regards, Peter
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Posted By gburgess
Firstly 'I work for an engineering co.' could easily mean as a Consultant, H&S Adviser, Cleaner etc. Plus you can click on their name to find their email address if you really don't believe they are who they say they are. So I don't see to many secrets there.
Secondly, what is the difference between a Consultant or a FT Adviser employed by a company, asking for advice. You can just as easily argue that the Adviser is paid by the company and so they too should keep up to date.
I really don't see the point in these threads which are just to beat fellow Advisers or Consultants with a big stick. Surely we've got management to do that.
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Posted By Merv Newman
Everybody knows I'm a consultant (trust me). After one telling off by the moderator, for which I apologised, I avoid like the plague any "touting for business" on this chat show. Or even asking for advice. I'm supposed to know all of that already. Which is why our clients pay us all that lovely money (mostly in euros)
This said, ADVICE is always offered for free. To anyone who asks. And this includes past clients who give me a ring or send an e-mail if they have a problem or a question. Not having a law degree I don't keep a stopwatch next to the phone.
That said, we have gained a few clients who have found us through my postings here. Definitely worth the annual subscription.
On the fourth hand, I have always thought the UK market for safety consultants was super saturated - give it a shake and something or someone will drop out of the solution. (remember the old joke about a party discussion : "What do you do ?" "I'm a consultant" "really, how long is it since you got made redundant ?")
Hard times ? Come to France. The weather is warmer, the wine and the houses are cheaper, the girls are just as pretty and independant consultants are extremely rare. All you have to do is learn the language and the absolutely horrendous legislation. Corporate killing is no problem here - the boss goes straight to jail.
One thing I have found though is that you cannot just be a "local" consultant. You have to travel a lot. I've just come back from Bourg-en-Bresse (only 200 km away, that's local) Next week I go to toulouse, then orleans. The week after that it's caen and cherbourg. But I've also done Milan, Brussels and Johannesburg this year.
Merv (trust me, I'm a consultant) Newman. And it's Friday, I'm just winding down from a busy week. Bon weekend à tous le mond.
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Posted By TBC
Yes - Lumpy is so busy he hasn't got time to put together a Fire Warden/Frevention course for his 'organisation'. He has to ask for one on here and probably sells it to his clients. He even so busy he forgets to leave a email address to send it to - Naughty naughty. I don't mind assisting others with help, but your taking the urine lumpy.
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Posted By Paul Craythorne
Andrew,
If times are hard for consultants then I can't wait for the good times as I am currently swamped with work from all those companies out there who need to manage health and safety but don't have the budget to justify a full time practitioner.
Regards,
Paul Craythorne
www.pcraythorne.co.uk
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Posted By Cr8r
I don't care who anyone is. (And I'm NOT a consultant). If someone has a problem and I know the answer, I'll tell them.
The unwritten rule I try to adhere to is that if you want people's help from time to time, you should give them your help too. People here have helped me and I hope I've helped them. What you do with that information is up to you. Any info I get, I use as a starting point, you still need to check that it ticks all the legal boxes etc before you put something into practice, it's just really useful to get other people's ideas of things that have worked (or not) for them.
A lot of us are out here on our own - no other H&S people to bounce things off, so to me this forum is invaluable.
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