W: www.tkp.co.uk
E: info@tkp.co.uk
T: +44 0845 241 2221
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I join TKP?
2. Are there any costs involved in belonging to this network?
3. How do I gain access to documents in the Knowledge Vault?
4. How does TKP present my details to clients and other consultancies?
5. I wish to retain my independence - can I work outside TKP?
6. Can I register my details even though I am not freelance at the moment?
7. What incentives exist to get more work for TKP?
8. How many consultants do you have on the base at the moment?
9. What maximum number do you have in mind?
10. How ‘exclusive’ is it?
11. How many clients do you have?
12. How will I keep track of commission/fees due to me from leads generated?
13. How will I be notified of new opportunities?
14. How does TKP promote itself?
15. What restrictions are there with regard to clients?
16. What has been the market reaction to TKP?
17. Do I get rewarded if I introduce new consultants to TKP?
18. How transparent do you make these arrangements?
19. What sort of support can I expect from TKP?
20. What are the specific responsibilities of belonging TKP? 1. Why should I join TKP? For experienced, freelance industry practitioners and consultants, TKP provides an unrivalled set of services that promote you and what you know, directly to clients and like minded peer groups. In addition, a transparent and flexible commercial structure provides you with the opportunity to enhance your fee income.
As a client, we can offer you access, to some of the leading management consultants currently operating in the UK. You are in complete control of how to wish to develop and use these resources within a very cost effective framework. For example:
build your own virtual in house consulting team, controlling the type of interaction you want at any time (phone, mail, discussion room or f2f)
view the work experiences of these consultants on line and line them up with your exact requirements
Using the search wizard, we will provide you with the latest research and articles tailored to your exact specification, from our knowledge vault
If you are an existing consultancy (large or small) we can increase your bandwidth of capabilities. We hold leading tools which will enable you to create a managed community of highly experienced resources. We will keep you updated on new and existing consultants, and their availability.
2. Are there any costs involved in belonging to this network?
For Consultants, Clients and Associate Companies, there are no financial costs to registering with The Knowledge Practice. Full details of charges for various products and services e.g. to secure specific resources are available upon request.
3. How do I gain access to documents in the Knowledge Vault?
By simply registering on the site, you will be able to search and view all public domain documents. Access to other key documents are restricted to either their specific community or alternatively with ‘consultant permission only’.
4. How does TKP present my details to clients and other consultancies
Sections of your CV are, with your approval, used within the interactive framework of TKP to promote you, and what you know, directly to clients and communities of highly skilled individuals who operate in the same fields as yourself. Because of this TKP encourages you to update your CV record as required to ensure this always presents the most comprehensive view of your achievements. TKP provides a set of free services (technology and people) to minimise your input whilst maximising the presentational value of the information you supply.
Once you are happy with how your CV is presented on the website (you have private access to your own workspace on the site for setting up and maintaining your CV details), sections of your CV (Consultants page, your Profile and the summaries of your assignments) will become visible to any registered user of the TKP site including clients. However, no-one will be able to extract/download your entire CV or your contact details.
You are also encouraged to submit personalised sales and marketing materials which can be placed onto your unique pages to further promote your credentials. These include, best practice summaries, case studies, client references, methodologies and tools. You will of course retain complete editorial control and intellectual rights over your own materials
5. I wish to retain my independence - can I work outside TKP?
You will naturally be entitled to supply your services to any other third party during your membership with TKP. When contracted to work, you will of course be subject to the leading consultancies terms and conditions. These generally never restrict your ability to supply services to other third parties, although these contracts normally have standard exclusions regarding the supply of services during the term of the contract and for an agreed period following the end of the contract.
6. Can I register my details even though I am not freelance at the moment?
Yes, provided that your intention is to become a freelance consultant/practitioner. You will receive MI that indicates the number of times that people have read either your CV details or any of the documents that you may have submitted to the knowledge vault. This is a great way assess the extent to which your experience and knowledge of interest in a given period before committing to going freelance.
7. What incentives exist to get more work for TKP?
We have a margin share framework which allows us to share margin income with you in exchange for your support with business development (everything from identifying a qualified opportunity to securing a contract for a TKP consultant. The formula used to calculate how much you receive is determined by the nature of the business development that you were associated with, the outcome of that work and the nature of the contract under consideration.
8. How many consultants do you have on the base at the moment?
We are currently in contact with over 1000, and are currently in the process of releasing details of more than 350 onto our site.
9. What maximum number do you have in mind?
We are looking to build the TKP network to around 1250 senior management consultants. However, we will of course be limited by the appropriate number of qualified individuals currently working within this market place.
10. How ‘exclusive’ is it?
Consultant membership is limited to consultants who have in excess of 10 years consulting experience and can demonstrate a consistent delivery of value to major clients. We would normally expect consultants to have experience of working for at least one of the major (“big x”) management consultancies.
Practitioner membership is limited to individuals who can point to considerable and consistent success in Senior Management/Executive roles within FTSE 500 companies over a period of not less than 10 years.
11. How many clients do you have?
TKP have built excellent relationships with a significant number of key clients, initially to support the development of our proposition and latterly to promote the knowledge and skills of our bank of consultants. The credentials of the consultants within the network are first class. They have collectively worked with over 3000 clients during the last 10 years, comprising ftse 100 companies, as well as other major European and Global organisations.
12. How will I keep track of commission/fees due to me from leads generated?
We have utilised a bespoke management accounting and MI system which tracks all leads generated, along with commissions that are due and those that have been paid to our consultants. You will be provided with a monthly statement that provides full details of any sales pipeline, consultant introductions and contracts undertaken. Payments will be made in accordance with TKP terms of business.
13. How will I be notified of new opportunities?
TKP have made a significant investment in constructing a comprehensive skills and experience database with powerful search and selection capability. Through this we ensure that your skills, experience and availability are always highlighted when either TKP or one of our clients is searching for individuals with a particular profile. Our contact strategy uses all forms of communication from SMS text messaging, email alerts, personal contact (phone) and provides an online search facility through the website.
14. How does TKP promote itself?
TKP is breaking new ground in process of promoting consultancy services (products, services and consultants) to a wide range of organisations (end clients, intermediaries and key spokespeople).
Substantial investments have been made in the last year to launch our core service which meets the needs of a dynamic marketplace. We have already secured a number of strategic alliances with clients (public and private sector), large consultancy firms and key networks.
We have evidence to indicate that our contract strategies and promotional plans will deliver significant growth for TKP during the next few years.
15. What restrictions are there with regard to clients?
Full details of the obligations and duties of a consultant are contained in our Consultancy Services Agreements. This covers all obligations and restrictions with regards to the clients.
Essentially our restrictions apply for six months after the termination of any consultancy engagement.
16. What has been the market reaction to TKP?
The market reaction to TKP to date has been excellent. Earlier this year, we carried out an extensive piece of research into key stakeholders in the consulting marketplace to establish the reaction and views of suppliers, intermediaries and end clients. All key stakeholders welcomed a database of highly qualified freelance consultants, which they could have access to. Whether it’s to build their own in house consulting teams, secure specific resources for key assignments or to network collaboratively with experts in their field.
These stakeholders have confirmed their support and intention to utilise the products and services of TKP when launched.
17. Do I get rewarded if I introduce new consultants to TKP?
Where possible, we will always try to reward the introduction of new consultants to TKP. Entry to The Knowledge Practice is by recommendation/invitation only. So we are relying on our consultants to spread the word and recommend colleagues to apply to join.
As soon as we are able to place a consultant that has been recommended by you, we will contact you to confirm the placement and agree a one off fee. This fee is payable in line with our terms of business. Full transparency of the amount you will earn from the introduction is provided to the consultant concerned.
18. How transparent do you make these arrangements?
We believe we need to be completely transparent in our commercial dealings and will therefore create a transparent commercial contract for each and every assignment we are involved in. This contract will contain all rates payable between key parties, key responsibilities and undertakings.
This underpins the collaborative and commercial environment, which will be created by TKP and its members.
19. What sort of support can I expect from TKP?
By signing up to TKP, members will be able to benefit from a range of products and services designed to support consultants, including:
a shop window to promote consultants to buyers of consultancy services
a framework for knowledge sharing,
MI to track interest in any knowledge that a consultant wishes to share
discussion forums,
access to clients, consultancy associations and other relevant partners that have joined the network.
The above is based on an aggregation/syndication model that ensure extended reach and increased bandwidth.
In addition, we will support you by bringing some of the best online research facilities, tools and resources to your fingertips.
20. What are the specific responsibilities of belonging TKP?
We do not charge consultants for belonging to TKP. However, in building the UK’s premium online collaborative environment for freelance management consultants requires each consultant to contribute in a number of key ways. In so doing we ensure that the value returned to both you and our clients is maximised.
We ask you to:
Keep your personal details, including CV details up-to-date
Contribute to the knowledge vault with best practice case studies, reports or other materials you feel best showcase you experience and skills
Respond proactively to questions posed by clients and colleagues within the network
Contribute knowledge to and get involved in discussions (via our web based discussion rooms), which take place in any community that you choose to be a part of.
Use the TKP resource pool if you are building your own business and revenue stream
Promote TKP and its products and services if outside your specific area of expertise.
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