[Gllug] Pooling talent

[Alain Williams]

On Tue, Jul 17, 2001 at 12:17:56PM +0100, Simon Furey wrote:
> Just so as there is no misunderstanding I am an agent and therefore I do
> have an axe to grind on this in some ways but in others I have seen all the
> shortcomings and have unique insight into this idea.
> 
> A long time ago (ie 2-3 years & b4 I got into linux) some close sa friends
> of mine were always "banging on" about Linux taking over the world and M$
> being crap and how they could make a killing offering a installation and
> support of small and medium small business environments.
> 
> I looked into this with them and they both wanted to do this we decided to
> make the dream a reality I setup some oppurtunities for installation and
> support and guess what was let down the moment a contract got in the way.  I
> have no problem with this as at the time the consulting was never going to
> replace contracting for them as income but it meant it was also not worth
> while progressing with.
> 
> The final problem with this is if you don't know how to do it you don't
> understand the problems or what else you need to take into account.  In such
> areas I know that fixed price is preferred by the client and I suggest that
> the specing of a job by someone unqualified in an area will result in either
> disputes because there is a lot more work than previously thought or a time
> and materials charge that vastly exceeds client expectation.
> 
> These are fundemental issues and I say to those professionals amongst you
> out there the M$ cowboys in the network and support area have earnt their
> reputation from over charging not delivering and affecting business
> continuity by jumping into situations without proper understanding or
> planning you risk doing the same.

Quite, this is why I commented 'if it can be made to work' (or something).

I think that it would be wrong of GLUUG/... to get involved in the setting up of
deals or acting as a broker between client & consultant. The best way is as
a forum/bulletin_board where interested parties can meet.

The problem is often also one of: 'does this guy/gal know his/her onions ?'.
The UKUUG has long mulled over the idea of awarding certificates of competence
(or something) based on provable/tested people. Several other user group type
organisations have also thought about it. Given that none have done it I suggest
that GLUUG would be advised to leave alone.

I suggest that the only way that this can work is to keep it simple, otherwise it
will never get off the ground. Probably the best way is a mail list where organisations
that need skills can post requests, maybe also some web space where consultants can
post their details.

Needs more discussion.

-- 
Alain Williams

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