Think small, PCG tells big business ahead of CBI conference

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) called on large corporations to 'think small and think efficient' when they need to outsource specialist technical work.

The PCG will take its message to the heart of big business when it exhibits for the first time at the CBI's conference in Birmingham (November 4-6).

The PCG, which represents 14,000 small businesses in the knowledge-based sector, highlighted the benefits of using their members who are small, flexible, highly-skilled resources to meet a company's specialist needs, particularly in high technology areas.

Andy White, founder of the PCG, said: "In the past, large corporations have used their in-house staff or looked to large consultancies to try to meet their specialist high tech needs. However, if they want access to best practice and a fast, efficient service, they need to think out of the box - and realise that small is beautiful in the knowledge-based world.

"Our members have exposure to the best practice in the world and are at the forefront of the development of high technology skills. Unlike employees they come to a project with a specific skill set to meet that precise need, perform that task and then move on. Unlike the large consultancies, they have low overheads and flexibility to move and adapt quickly and efficiently.

"These businesses are the epitome of the 21st century flexible economy and we would encourage large clients to use the best of the best to meet their needs and give themselves a competitive advantage in the market place."

The PCG is the country's fastest growing trade association with a membership of more than 14,000 since it was formed in May 1999. Its membership comprises small, knowledge-based businesses who sell their specialist skills - mainly in IT and engineering - to a variety of clients, including the Government and the private sector around the world.

The PCG listed 10 reasons why clients should use specialist contractors for their specific projects:

• An ability to pick and choose the best people for appropriate tasks, while the client focuses on its core business.
  
• Contractors bring up-to-date skills to the project in an industry where a skill-set can be outdated within a year, and it can take up to six months to retrain an employee in a new discipline.
  
• Contractors bring experience and solutions from other, often similar, projects rather than addressing the problem for the first time.
  
• Contractors have a can-do attitude. They take the risks of running their own businesses because they are prepared to 'live or die' by the results they achieve.
  
• No additional costs. Contractors quote a rate for their service and work through business-to-business contracts, so unlike employees the client has no obligation for statutory or voluntary benefits such as pensions, sick pay, holiday pay, and redundancy.
  
• Bring in expertise. Contractors, who are often experts in their field, bring that knowledge and experience to the client site and in-house employees benefit from exposure to working as part of that team;
  
• Many contractors worked with the large, well-known consultancies and software houses, before 'going it alone' because they realised they could provide the same technical expertise at a fraction of the "big brand" consultancy rate and with the attention to client service that comes when it is their reputation and business that is on the line. Some consultancies still use contractors and charge them to the end client at significantly higher rates than if the client had contracted direct.
  
• Independence. Contractors will use best practice and best products for the individual situation, without being tied to any pre-arranged supplier deal or particular product.
  
• Hit the ground running. Contractors are used for what they know from the moment they arrive, without clients having to pay for their 'learning curve'.
  
• In any other area, clients recognise the value of having products and services which are the best in the business at the best costs. Contractors provide best practice for best value - the smart businesses recognise their importance and impact.

The PCG will be exhibiting for the first time at the CBI Conference in Birmingham from November 4-6, 2001 and will be talking to clients and large companies about the benefits of using contractors as a flexible, highly-skilled resource. Andy White will be available for interview at the PCG Exhibition Stand (number 94) at the CBI Conference in the ICC, Birmingham.

--

The Editor