Here
are a few of the most frequently asked questions we get. They
are in no particular order and we add to them as issues arise.
If what you need to know is not here please give
us a call.
Do
you specialise in risk management?
Yes we do! We excel at facilitation in many areas, especially
in risk management (refer to the links at the top of this
page. However, as far as risk management consultancy
goes we offer additional services through our sister website
http://www.JohnAlgar.com
in terms of process and methodology which feeds through into
the interventions we undertake.
How
quickly can you provide us with a facilitator?
We can generally react very quickly indeed but the reality
is that it depends on a few variables. Obviously when you
want the facilitator and what the engagement demands in terms
of experience and expertise. Then availability of the right
facilitator for you and where you want them to be. We have
provided someone "the next day" when a company's
own facilitator became ill, but the circumstances were just
right in that event. We would do our best to help you as much
as possible and as quickly as possible. We will not raise
the level of charges just because your need is pressing. So
give us a call to see if we can help.
We
are a small company, would you work for us?
Yes of course! We are always surprised at this question. We
are a small company too, but highly specialised in what we
do. Yes, we work for all sizes of companies, from "1
man bands" to large blue chip companies.
What
is the pay back?
Well, as facilitators and experts in the area of non adversarial
techniques, we can reduce the meeting times needed by up to
60% (from say 5 days to 2) by unlocking the power of your
group through dialogue and pursuit of clarity. The benefit
therefore is savings on staff downtime, accommodation and
venue costs PLUS the opportunity costs gained in freeing up
staff earlier, and their increased productivity after the
event.
Our facilitation services help you avoid the pitfalls of common
meetings. We act as your guide and will help all participants
focus on the tasks at hand while also increasing their productivity.
Do
you provide the needed technology or must we have it?
We are happy either way. You can provide whatever technology
is needed (plus backups) or we can. We only charge for what
we do so we don't mind. What is required will depend on the
engagement, the number of people involved and the tasks to
be completed. After we have agreed the scope of work we will
draft up an equipment/facilities list that we can discuss
and agree on.
While we are not in the equipment rental business, we can
provide everything from just a flip chart, pens and yellow
stickies, to a laptop and projector, all the way up to 650
person polling/balloting systems.
How
much do you charge?
This is a question we wish we could publish a rate schedule
for but the variables are too great. The simplest answer is
that at the lowest end, we would not take on a chargeable
engagement for less than £275/engagement purely because
of overhead issues. From here it goes on up to suit you. It
depends for example on where in the world the engagement is;
how many facilitators you need; how much pre-engagement work
there is; the level of technology required (laptops/voting/polling
systems for example); how many participants there are and
so on. We do some limited pro bono work though, if their is
a good reason/fit, but we are a small company so the amount
is limited.
We have different grades of hourly charge rates, ranging from
£40 to £400 per hour, which work out less if you
buy a whole day or week. We do charge for travel but at a
reduced rate. We do not transfer IPR unless
you have specifically engaged us on that basis.
Do
you charge for the initial interview?
No, we don't, the first hour is free. Its up to the client
but, we prefer to conduct this interview over the phone in
order to gain a mutual understanding of the fit between ourselves,
the available resources and the potential client's needs.
While we value face to face meetings, using the phone saves
travel time and expense. We will be very honest and help source
alternatives if we are not right for you (whomever makes that
decision). Apart from this first hour, time and expense are
of course chargeable.
Where
in the world will you work?
Quite literally, anywhere. In the middle of a remote jungle,
onboard a ship, in a purpose built corporate conference and
training centre, even in the local hotel or village hall.
We only ask that it is not unsafe or uncomfortable (for our
people and yours) and that the facilities and environment
will not impede the productivity and learning of the delegates.
Does
full service mean that?
Yes it does, just that. We will take care of everything to
ensure the success of the event. We have experience of the
small company 3/4 person get away weekends to review strategy,
to several hundred people, from several companies, meeting
in, say, Singapore for an event, spread over multiple venues,
including spouse/partner activities on the side. You will
be assigned a client co-ordinator who will stay with you throughout
the engagement, and be able to provide whatever status reports/information
you need.
We
will discuss sensitive issues! Will the content be kept confidential?
Absolutely, specialising as we do in risk management, clients
consider nearly everything we do to be confidential. We will
never even reveal we have worked for you. We never give away,
rent or sell our client list for any reason. We can even arrange
that the facilitator not reveal the content to us, should
you wish. We will just provide assistance with process and
facilities as and when requested.
AOB
Anything we have missed that you believe should be here? If
so, we would very much appreciate you e-mailing us with suggestions
or corrections. Send to faqs@riskfacilitation.com.
Thank you!
