Keep up to date with the Skillfair blog

There's a pretty constant flow of queries and suggestions between us 'in here' and you 'out there', so much so that it can be quite difficult sometimes to pick out one topic to include in the Newsletter.

Rather than send any more emails we've set up a blog that will allow us to keep you informed about anything unusual that's going on, share consultant and client success stories, publish answers to queries from other consultants and general chit-chat. The Skillfair Blog will be very much a two-way communication so please take a look and comment on anything that strikes a chord with you - whether good or bad.

You can 'follow' the blog if you are a Blogger user or you can subscribe to it's RSS feed by clicking where it says 'Subscribe To'. We look forward to hearing your comments.

I'm also finding it increasingly hard to work out which projects to include in this newsletter - there are over 500 live projects on the site right now - so if you don't see anything appealing click here to check your skills profile and make sure you get alerts for the right projects.

Direct Client Delivery of Creative Learning Programme in Schools, Bucks
Software Development - Translation Services Web Application
Using Modern Technology to Share Learning, Bucks
Opportunity TV Advertising Sales, United Kingdom
Client Web Site Customer Services Excellence Accreditation,Yorkshire and Humberside
Management training programmes , North East England
Funding and Audit Consultant, South West
Experts in Supply Chain and Trade Models ,Overseas
3D Interactive Walkthrough Computer Model,Yorkshire and Humberside
Client Web Site Outplacement Services , North East
Research into Sporting Trends , Wales
Research into employer issues
Food Website Content Maintenance , Scotland
Language Training Services,Europe
High Level Media Coaching ,Europe
OJEU Advertising and marketing service , Greater London
OJEU IT Advisory Services, West Midlands
OJEU Professional Business Engagement Self Assessments to Businesses , West Midlands
OJEU Consultant services in HR, staff & organisational development , North West England

I've completed the analysis of our fee survey this week, as I mentioned the average fee rates have gone up across the board, a rather surprising result given the economic conditions we're all dealing with. I've also heard from some members that they are meeting people who are prepared to work as 'management consultants' for extremely low fees.

Having reviewed the whole survey, I think the reason Skillfair consultants report better fee rates may be related to the fact that the majority of our respondents deal directly with clients for most of their work. This allows them to emphasise value rather than cost and of course it also removes agency commissions from the equation!

The full survey results are now available and if you'd like to give us your own feedback then there's a brief summary on the Skillfair blog that you can comment on.

Demonstrating Quality
I've always been impressed by the depth and variety of experience that so many Skillfair members have, and that's been reflected in the testimonials, references and other information they've provided for quality checking purposes. We've now added a new feature to the system that allows members to display their key memberships and accreditations alongside the quality rating - so clients can see immediately who is 'Prince Qualified' or a 'Chartered Marketer' for example.
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