Frequently Asked Questions

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 and no. We excel at facilitation in many areas, including risk management (refer to our facilitation page). However, as far as risk management goes we offer additional services (refer our risk management page) 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 (for our people and yours) and that the facilities and environment will not impede the productivity 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 to 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 emailing us with suggestions or corrections. Send to faqs@johnalgar.com. Thank you!

 

 

john algar.com

367 Eastfield Road, Peterborough, PE1 4RD
Tel: 44 (0)1234 82 67 81 - Fax: 44 (0)1234 82 67 83
 email: admin@johnalgar.com
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