Code of practice with associates

Dbi Consulting Ltd’s associates are more than just a ‘resource’. We take care only to invite experienced professionals who have a good management or consultancy track record and who are able to provide good references. Most come to us through recommendation by their peers. Some were colleagues of Dbi Consulting Ltd staff earlier in their careers; others are people we have met and been impressed by in the course of carrying out our consultancy work.

As the core of our quality assurance process we have a series of procedures. Relevant extracts are provided to associates at the appropriate times in the bid process and prior to carrying out the assignment.

This Code of Practice sets out our general approach to working with associates; it identifies some of the duties and responsibilities, which will apply to Dbi and you, the associate. It is intended to help you understand our ethical standards and way of working together with you, our key people.

The Bid Process

Dbi Consulting Ltd will: 

• Only offer you work for which we and you agree that you are suitable
• Provide you with as much information as we can about the terms of reference of the assignment
• Possibly tailor your CV to emphasise the most relevant strengths and experience to the assignment
• Ensure that arrangements for hours of work, overtime and expenses are clearly defined and agreed with you
• Only submit your name to the Client after obtaining your permission for us to do so
• If, for whatever reason, it is not appropriate to include you in a proposal having indicated our expectation of doing so, inform you as soon as possible, providing reasons for the decision
• Provide details of arrangements for interviews (and rehearsals if appropriate) as soon as possible (and endeavour to ensure that the client does not ask for attendance on days that you unavailable)
• Ensure that you are provided with appropriate quality procedures
• Advise you promptly on the outcome of written proposals and interviews, whether successful of otherwise
• Endeavour to obtain a debrief following the outcome of a proposal, successful or otherwise, and pass relevant information on to you
• Ensure that, throughout the bid process and up to the commencement of the assignment, you have a named contact (the Bid Manager and/ or the Resourcer) at Dbi Consulting Ltd to whom you can speak to about any queries you may have throughout the bid process.

You, the associate, will:

• Only agree to be proposed for work which you truly believe yourself to be capable
• Declare any potential conflicts of interest which may arise from working with clients who compete in the same markets
• Provide referees who will confirm your capabilities and your suitability to be a Dbi Consulting Ltd associate
• If not already in place, set up a limited or umbrella company through which to do business with us
• Time permitting, tailor your CV to emphasise the most relevant strengths and experience relevant to the assignment
• Once having agreed to participate in the Dbi Consulting Ltd proposal, not allow yourself to be put forward by any competitor of Dbi Consulting Ltd or to bid directly yourself in competition with Dbi Consulting Ltd for the same assignment or any extensions or other opportunities that arise as a consequence of the assignment
• Accept the assignment if offered it, if you are still available, provided the terms of reference or other relevant conditions haven't significantly changed.

The Assignment

Dbi Consulting Ltd will:

• Provide you with a detailed contract that sets out all the conditions relating to the assignment
• Be flexible, within the context of general good practice, should you wish to negotiate changes to specific items in the contract's standard terms and conditions
• Not attempt to renegotiate that rate downwards once the assignment has been won
• Ensure that you have a named contact (the Project Director or the Lead Consultant) who will take responsibility for dealing with any problems or queries that may arise
• Provide joining instructions as quickly as possible
• Support you and negotiate with the Client should he attempt to change the terms of reference or other relevant conditions relating to the assignment
• Pay you promptly, by cheque or BACS as preferred
• Not mark up expenses that may be rechargeable to the Client outside the agreed fee rate
• Ensure that you are provided with appropriate quality procedures
• Comply with the Data Protection Act and treat information provided by you as confidential with Dbi Consulting Ltd if so requested.

You, the associate, will:

• Carry out the work to the best of your ability
• Sign and return your contract as soon as possible
• Not attempt to renegotiate the fee rate upwards once the assignment has been won
• Complete time sheets and get them signed by the Client promptly and returned to Dbi Consulting Ltd
• Behave as a 'Dbi Consulting Ltd person' during the assignment, act accordingly, and advise us of any relevant developments or opportunities on client site
• Advise us promptly of any difficulties with meeting the terms of reference or otherwise complying with the contract between us especially concerning attendance and performance
• Respect the confidentiality of all Dbi Consulting Ltd and Client information, including contractual details, both during and after the assignment
• Comply with relevant quality procedures
• Treat information about Dbi Consulting Ltd and about the client as confidential
• Not attempt to encourage any member of the Client's staff to consider alternative employment, unless this is the purpose of the assignment
• Act with courtesy and consideration towards all individuals contacted in the course of the assignment.