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Skillfair: Businesses and self-employed consultants beating the recessionLondon, Mar 23, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Self-employed consultants are earning more on average than a year ago, despite the recession. Results from online consultant's network, Skillfair's (www.skillfair.co.uk), annual survey of independent consultants' fee rates, show a 7.5% increase from last year's rate of GBP560 per day to an average of GBP602 per day this year. With the number of management-level redundancies on the rise due to the global downturn, Skillfair has seen a 70% increase in membership over the same time last year. Despite the economic crisis, 78% of the consultants surveyed expect to do better than or as well as last year, as many businesses choose independent consultants over the employment of permanent staff. 60% of respondents expect to grow their business this year due to this trend. "It's not all doom and gloom," said Skillfair member Clive Campling of Jigsaw Business Networks (www.jigsawbn.com). "I'm already seeing more projects come our way this year than last. Companies seem to be investing in qualified consultants rather than full time staff as a result of the recession. There's less risk to them and we're often able to get the job done more quickly as we're hired to focus on a single project, rather than full-time employees who tend to get pulled in multiple directions at once." "We still have plenty of work that needs doing but pressure on budgets means we have less people to do it," said Skillfair client,Ian Duncan of www.whatsmybrand.com. "Hiring skilled consultants for projects is now an essential part of our business strategy. Even with higher rates, consultants still save the company, time, money and are less risky than investing in full time employees, especially in these uncertain times." "It's good news for the industry that fee rates are up this year, but it's important to note that consultancy shouldn't be viewed as a quick fix in tight times" said Gill Hunt, Skillfair's managing director. "Almost 40% of our members have been self-employed for over ten years and have developed trusted relationships with clients who understand the value of hiring skilled consultants. Employing consultants as part of a business strategy is a trend that will outlast the recession. Full survey results available at www.skillfair.co.uk/survey About Skillfair Promoting the exchange of expertise, Skillfair (www.skillfair.co.uk) offers a unique service for both consultants and clients. Through the on line meeting place clients can invite more than 1200 quality checked consultants to respond to their requests for expert help. Consultants can access these projects and use the service to find others offering similar or complimentary services to work with them on bids or ongoing projects. CONTACT: Skillfair WWW: http://www.skillfair.co.uk Lisa Henshaw / Nikki Scrivener, Fourth Day PR Tel: +44 (0)20 7403 4411 e-mail: [email protected] M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |