INFORMATIONFORFREELANCERS

#WorkDifferently

ABOUTTHEDIFFERENCECOLLECTIVEWHATISTHEDIFFERENCECOLLECTIVE?TheDifferenceCollectiveisallaboutprofessionalchoiceandfreedom.Asignificantshiftistakingplaceinthewaypeoplearechoosingtoworkwithagreateremphasisplacedonflexibilitythaneverbefore.Therearenowover2millionfreelancersinthiscountry,upfrom1.4millionin2008.*Whetheryouhavebeenfreelancingforyearsorarelookingtojointhemovement,wearealwayslookingfortalentedfreelancerswithprovenexperienceinhealthcommunicationstojoinourvirtualCollective.Youdecideyourpreferredworkinglocationandhoursandwematchyourskill-setandexpertisewithprojectsthatexciteandmotivateyou.ThebeautyoftheCollectiveisthatyoucanfeelpartofsomethingbiggerandtapintotheresourcesandsupportofa‘non-agency’withouthavingtocommuteintoanofficeorcommittorigidworkinghours.Inreturn,ourhealthcareclientsgetmorefromtheirbudgetswithlesshassle.Webelievethisnovelapproachmeanswecangetthejobdonewithmaximumagility,qualityandsatisfactionallround.TherearethreelevelsofmembershiptotheCollective:1. Associate:Anapprovedmemberwhohasbeengrantedaccesstoourcommunicationsnetwork2. Active:AnapprovedmemberwhohasbeenassignedaprojectandactivelystartedworkingfortheCollective3. Core:ThefoundingmembersoftheCollective(SeeMeettheCoreCollective)*IPSEReport,2016WHATKINDOFWORKWILLBEAVAILABLE?Wedon’tpitch!Weworkonaprojectbasisonly,soitisquickandeasytogetupandrunning.Projectswillvaryinsizeandtypebuttheywillallfallunderthebannerof‘healthcarecommunications’andtherewon’tbeanyretainer-basedwork,ratherindividualproject-ledtaskswithaclearlydefinedbeginningandend.Eachprojectwillbeassignedateamlead,sothereisonepointofcontactfortheclient,withabespoketeamofspecialistsbehindthem.OnceyouareanAssociate,youareincentivisedtobringbusinessintotheDifferenceCollective(seeWorkingforus).ISITLIMITEDTOHEALTHCARECOMMUNICATIONS?Fornow,theDifferenceCollectiveisfocusedondeliveringpremiumqualityworkforclientswithinthehealthcaresector.However,ifyouhaveprovenexperienceincommunicationsandatransferableskill-set,forexample,asawriter,creativeorsocial/digitalmediaexpert,wewouldlovetohearfromyou.Intimewehopetoexpandourremitandextrapolateourmodeltoothersectors.

MEETTHECORECOLLECTIVE–WHOWEAREANDWHATWEDOTheDifferenceCollectiveiscontinuallygrowinginstrengthandnumbers(seeJoiningus),allowingustodeliverpremiumqualityworkinawidevarietyoftherapyareas.However,thereisacoreteamatthehelmwhoexemplifythetalentandexpertisethatliesattheheartofthebusiness.ANGIEWILESFOUNDER&HEADOFCOLLECTIVITYTheDifferenceCollectiveisthebrainchildofAngieWiles,whoheadsuptheorganisationandoverseesallaspectsofitsdailyfunctionandfuturegrowth.Throughouther30-yearcareer,Angiehasalwayslookedtodothingsdifferentlyandmakeadifferencetothehealthcarecommunicationsindustry.Sheisprobablybestknownasco-founderandjointCEOofVirgoHealth,oneofthemostsuccessfulaward-winninghealthcarecommunicationsandmedicaleducationagencies.ShehasalsotakenonseniorrolesforEdelmanHealthcareandBurson-Marsteller,builtahealthcareteamatCohnandWolfeandledtheHealthcareCommunicationsAssociation.“MymotherwouldtellyouI’vebeencuriousandcontrarysincethedayIwasborn,andshe’sprobablyright!I’veneverfeltcompelledtofollowthebeatenpathandhaveconstantlylookedtodothings‘differently’…ineducation,inworkandinlifeingeneral.Forme,trendsaretheretobesetandboundariestobetested.I’vebeenabsolutelypassionateabouthealthcarecommunicationsandthe‘difference’wecanultimatelymaketopatients’livesfor30yearsnow.However,I’vefeltmywork/lifebalancehasbeenconstantlychallengedbysetworkingrulesandrigidagencyconstraints,andhavebeensaddenedtoseethewealthofseniortalentthathasbeenlosttotheindustryduetoinflexibleandrestrictiveworkingpolicies.Theworldischangingandwemustembraceit.YetIthriveoncollaborativecreativeworkingandfundamentallybelievethefreedomtoworkinthewaythatbestsuitsaperson’slifestyleproducestheabsolutebestresults.SoTheDifferenceCollectiveistheperfectsolution.Itbringstogetherthebestindependentpeopleinthebusinesswhowanttoworkdifferentlybutstillbenefitfromthesupportandcamaraderieofavirtualcommunity.TheDifferenceistheculminationofeverythingthatisimportanttome…deliveringgreatworkforgreatclientswiththebestinthebusinesstogethermakingarealDifference!”

CARLYSTRINGERHEADOFMAKINGTHINGSHAPPENCarlyisanaccomplishedexecutiveassistantandmarketingmanagerwithovereightyears’experienceinthehealthcarecommunicationsector.Inearly2017sheestablishedavirtualassistantandmarketingconsultancysupportingbusinessesandentrepreneursinthecreativeandcommunicationssectors.Priortothissheworkedfortheaward-winning,globalhealthcarecommunicationsconsultancy,VirgoHealth,whichiswhereshefirstmetAngie.DuringhertimeatVirgoCarlytookondemandingrolesincludingexecutiveassistanceforthetwoCEOsandExecutiveBoard,leadingtheagency’smarketingeffortsandsupportingwithnewbusinessdevelopment,socialmediamanagementandinternalcommunications.“WhenIfoundoutthatAngiewasthinkingoflaunchingahealthcarecommunicationscollectiveIhadjustlaunchedmyownvirtualassistanceandmarketingbusinesstogivemetheflexibilityaroundmytwoyoungchildren.Angie’svisionofcreatingtheagencyofthefutureandharnessingtheexpertiseofseniorfreelancersmatchedmyvaluesperfectlyandIjumpedatthechancetogetinvolvedandsupportherinmakinghervisionareality.It’sfantastictobeabletocontinuemyfreelancecareerbutstillfeelpartofafabulousteaminanindustrythatIlove.Ican’twaittoseetheCollectivegofromstrengthtostrengthinmakingtheDifferenceforbothourclientsandteam.”JAMESSTAPLESHEADOFALLTHINGSTECHNICALWithaBSc(Hons)inbusinessmanagementandfollowingfiveyearsofcitytradingexperience,Jamestookthedecisionin2011toconcentratehiscareerintheareathatexciteshimmost.HehassincedevelopedasabespokeTechnologyConsultant,andhasextensiveexperienceinexecutivetechnologycoachinganddevelopmentaswellashardware,software,webdesign,webapplications,cloudservices,socialmediaandmarketing,securityandmultimedia.HealsobringsITgovernancesupporttoTheDifference,includingpolicyandproceduretomaximisethebenefitstechnologycanbringwhilstminimisingrisk.Heworksbothface-to-faceandremotely,andprovidesaserviceresponsivetohisclients’needs.“IseeTheDifferenceasauniqueopportunityfordedicated,highlyskilledpeopletocollaborateonprojectsthatwouldotherwisebebeyondthereachofthetraditionalsolopreneur.Itaddsacommunitytotheflexibilityofworkingprimarilyfromhome–somethingthatI’veobservedthatmanyfreelancersandcontractorsreallymiss.Icansupportpeoplewhentheyneeditandmakebestuseofmyowntimetobalanceclientdemands.IfindIworkbestearlyinthemorning–withTheDifferenceIcandothatandproducemybestwork.”

HELENGORRODHEADOFCURATINGTALENTANDCULTUREHelenhasbeenworkinginHumanResourcesManagementforover10yearsinageneralistrole.Duringthistime,shehasworkedonorganisationalchangeandrestructures,resourcing,employeerelations,employmentlaw,recruitment,performancemanagement,traininganddevelopment,redundanciesandredeploymentandTUPE.Helenbeganhercareerintheentertainmentlightingindustrywhereshewasinstrumentalintwocompanyrestructuresandthetraininganddevelopmentoftheteam.ShethenmovedtoaleadinghealthcarecommunicationsagencywhereshesatontheLeadershipTeamasHeadofHRandworkedonallaspects,withaheavyfocusonthecultureanddevelopmentoftheteam.“WhenAngiefirstmentionedthatshewasthinkingofstartingtheCollective,Ithoughtitwassuchanexcitingandinterestingventure,butwasunsurehowIcouldfitin,especiallyasIwasadamantIwouldn’tworkforafewyears(atthetimeoflaunchithasbeen10months!)But,themoreIheardabouttheCollective,themorecertainIbecamethatIhadtobeinvolvedandpartofitfromthestart.IcannowproudlysaythatIampartoftheCollective,workingthehoursIcantofitaroundtimewithmydaughter,withpeopleforwhomIhavethegreatestrespectandadmiration.IamlookingforwardtohelpingtodrivetheCollectiveforward,workingwiththebestpeopletoseeitgrowfromstrengthtostrength.ThefutureisFreelance!”CHARLIEHOBSONHEADOFTHEWRITTENWORDCharliehasbeenwritingcontentasafreelancerfor14years.Beforespecialisinginthewordsthatshe’salwayslovedbest,sheworkedinmarketingandcommunicationsforbluechipcompaniesincludingIBMandASDA.Shehasalsofulfilledcontractroles,includinginterimdirectorofmarketinginthetelecomsindustry.Charliewritesandeditsfordigitalandtraditionalmedia,includingwebsites,onlineandmobileinteractivecontent,corporateandinternalmaterials,whitepapers,casestudies,newsletters,promotionsandblogs.Asafreelancer,CharliehasworkedforhealthcareandpharmaceuticalcommunicationsanddigitalagenciesoncampaignsandprojectscoveringbrandsincludingStiefel,MerckandBristol-MyersSquibbandorganisationsincludingtheGlobalRespiratoryInfectionPartnership(GRIP).“WithTheCollective,Igettoworkonclearly-definedprojectsthatgetupandrunningfast.WorkingdifferentlytomemeansbeingabletosetmyownagendaandscheduleandgivemyfullattentiontomydifferentprioritieswhenIchooseto.Inowgetfarmoredoneinaday,halfdayorhourthanIeverdidwhenIwastiedtoacorporateworkingweek.”

LISAHARPERCOLLECTIVECHAMPIONANDCONSULTANTLisaisahealthcarecommunicationsconsultantwhoworkedattwowell-respectedPRagenciesforovernineyearsbeforetakingtheplungeandgoingfreelancein2013.Lisahasbeeninstrumentalinexecutingadiverserangeofglobal,pan-EUandUKcommunicationsactivitiesinanumberoftherapeuticareas,manyinpartnershipwithpatientandprofessionalgroups.KeyclientshaveincludedGSK,Roche,AstraZenecaandPfizer.Herexpertisespansthefullspectrumofcommunications,fromleadingstrategicplanningtooverseeingallaspectsofimplementation,includingstakeholderengagement,mediatraining,bespokematerial/resourcedevelopment,eventmanagementandinternalcommunications.“AngieandIsharethesamehometownsoIwasquicktostickmyheadabovetheparapetwhenIheardshehadplansforanewbusinessventure.Ihavebeenafull-timemumtoBenandLottieforthepastfewyearsandIwasscepticalthatIwouldeverbeabletobalanceagencylifewithmotherhood.TheDifferenceCollectivehasbeensomethingofarevelationintermsofgivingmebackasenseofselfandmakingmefeelpartofsomethingagain.IlookforwardtohelpingAngieandthecoreteamexpandtheCollectiveandhelpingothertalentedfreelancersbreakfreeoftheconstraintsofagencylife.”KATYSPARKSCOLLECTIVECHAMPIONANDCONSULTANTKatyhasworkedinhealthcarecommunicationsforover15years,withabackgroundinsomeoftheUK’stophealthcareagencies,aswellasin-houseatPfizeraspartoftheinternalandexternalcommunicationsteams.Herexpertisespansthefullspectrumofhealthcare.Fromdirectingbeautyandskincarecampaignsandlaunchingfunctionalfoods,tosupportingHTAsubmissionsforrarediseasetreatmentsandleadingcorporatereputationinitiatives.Katyhasapassionfordevelopinginternalandexternalcommunicationsprogrammesbasedonin-depthaudienceinsighttodelivergenuineimpactandbehaviourchanges.

“Beingtiedtoaspecificlocationwith9-5hoursdoesnotneedtobeaprerequisitefordeliveryqualitywork.Thenumberofpeoplesteppingawayfromthe‘traditionalworkingmodel’toworkdifferentlyisgrowingatafastpaceandIamsopleasedtobepartofthismovement.TheDifferenceCollectiveisabrilliantconceptandIlookforwardtoseeingitbecomeaninvaluableassettothehealthcarecommunicationsindustry.”

MARIAPOTTERCOLLECTIVECHAMPIONANDCONSULTANTMariaisaseniorCommunicationsexpertwithexperienceacrossadiverseandbroadmixofindustriesbothnationallyandinternationallyincludingSony,CocaColaandGSKConsumerHealthcare.Duringhercareer,shehasworkedwithCEOsandtheirexecutiveteamsadvisingonahostofbusinesscommunicationschallenges,fromemployeeengagement,businessmergers/integrationsandculturalchangethroughtoproductlaunches,consumercampaignsandissues/crisismanagement.MostrecentlyMariaworkedatGSKConsumerHealthcare’sUKbusinessforthecompany’sOTCbrandsaswellasitsthennutritionalhealthcareportfolio-Lucozade,RibenaandHorlicks.FollowingapostingwheresheworkeddirectlywiththeCEOoftheNorthAmericanbusinesstorebuildandrecruitanewNorthAmericanCommunicationsfunction,shereturnedtotheUKin2014toleadtheglobalCommunicationsstrategyforthelaunchoftheworld’slargestConsumerHealthcarebusiness–aJVbetweenGSKConsumerHealthcareandNovartis.“AngieandIfirstmetinNewYorkwhenwewerebothworkingoverthere.Webothsharethebeliefthatgreatworkcanbedeliveredbygreatpeoplebutthisdoesn’talwayshavetobelinkedtoonelocationandthetraditionalagencystructure.I’mgenuinelyexcitedaboutthewaytheindustryischangingandbelievethevirtualstructurewillmotivateandexcitetalentedpeoplewhowanttoworkdifferently.Workingdifferentlyformemeansworkingwithagreatteam,continuingtolearnandchallengeourselvesandbuildingaportfoliocareerI’mpassionateabout.”

JOININGUS

WHATARETHEMAINADVANTAGESOFJOININGTHEDIFFERENCECOLLECTIVEVERSUSFREELANCINGFORATRADITIONALAGENCY?Workingforusisdifferentthanworkingforatraditionalagency.Youwillbeanindependentfreelancerworkingflexiblyonyourterms,soyouchooseyourhoursandplaceofwork.Ratherthangoingitalone,yougetthesupportandcamaraderieofavirtualcommunity,teammatesandapipelineofrelevantworkforyourskillsandaspirations.It’sallthegoodstufffromthelifeandcultureofaterrificagencywithoutthetiesandconstraints:• Premiumprojectworkopportunities• Premiumclients• Purpose-builtmulti-talentedteams• Collaborativevirtualworking• Industry-widetraining• Industrytrendsandinsights• Acollectiveforumforideagenerationandsharing• Operational,HR,finance,IT,marketingandlegalsupport• Touchdownworkingspace• Opportunitiesforinhouseandagencyplacements• CollectivesocialeventsHOWMANYYEARSOFEXPERIENCEANDWHATJOBTITLEDOINEEDBEFOREICANJOIN?TheDifferenceCollectiveiscomprisedofabroadpooloftalentwithexpertiseindifferentareas.SomewillbePRprofessionalswithagencybackgroundsandotherswillbespecialists,suchasmedical/sciencewritersandsocialmediaexperts,designersorcopywriters.Itis,therefore,difficulttospecifyaspecifictitleornumberofyears’tenureasaprerequisiteforjoiningtheCollective.However,adegreeofseniorityisimportant,asisproventalentandatrackrecordofdeliveringpremium-qualityworkcompetentlyandefficiently.ThisiswhyapersonalrecommendationorendorsementfromsomeoneinvolvedwiththeCollectiveisrequiredpriortojoining.DOINEEDTOHAVEPREVIOUSEXPERIENCEOFFREELANCING?No.Youmayhavefreelancedforyearsoryoumaybethinkingoftakingtheleapintofreelanceworkforthefirsttime.Eitherway,youdoneedevidenceofprovenseniorityinyourcareerandatrackrecordofdeliveringpremium-qualityworkcompetentlyandefficiently.Ifyouarenewtofreelancing,youcanbenefitfromthesupportandencouragementofpeoplewhohaveworkedinthiswayforyears.Feelfreetotalktousanduseusasasoundingboardasyouweighuptheprosandconsofflexibleworking.Asyoumakethetransition,wealsooffermoreformalcoachingtohelpyoudefineyourgoalsandachieveyourpotential.

DOESITCOSTMEANYTHINGTOJOIN?No,thereisnocosttojoinTheDifferenceCollective.Occasionally,theremaybeacostassociatedwithaparticularCollectivesocialeventortrainingsessionbutthiswillbeclearlycommunicatedatthetimeandisentirelyoptional.Everyeffortwillbemadetoensureclient-relatedexpensesarecoveredintheprojectagreementform.HOWDOIGOABOUTJOINING?STEP1:Completeouronlineapplicationform

STEP2:AmemberoftheCoreCollectivewillgetintouchtoarrangeaconvenienttimetocallviaWebExorSkype.TheywilldelvefurtherintoyourexperienceandmotivationforjoiningTheDifferenceandrequestthenamesofotherprofessionalswhocanvouchforyourskillsandexperienceSTEP3:Ifsuccessful,youwillreceiveconfirmationviaemail,submitabiographyandphoto(yourprofile)andbecomeanAssociateMember.Youwillbeinvitedtojoinourcommunicationsnetworkwhereyouwillreceivenotificationsofnewprojectsinthepipeline.Ifthereisaprojectforwhichyouwouldliketobeconsidered,notifytheCoreCollective,highlightingyoursuitabilityandrelevantexperience.Oncetheclienthasacceptedtheproposedteamandsignedaprojectconfirmationform,youwillbesetupasanActiveMemberoftheDifferenceCollective.JamesStaples,ourITDirectorwillassistyouinsettingupaDifferenceemailandinstallingtherelevantsoftwareonyourhomecomputerSTEP4:Youwillbeintroducedtotheclientandyourteam(ifapplicable)andawayyougo!

WORKINGFORUS

HOWMANYHOURSMUSTITOCOMMITTOWORKINGEACHWEEKANDISTHEREANYFLEXIBILITY?Therearenoquotasintermsofminimumormaximumhoursyouneedtocommit;TheDifferenceCollectiveisallaboutprofessionalchoiceandfreedom.Youinformusofyouridealworkinghoursduringtheapplicationprocess.Itisonlywhenwecometoassignyoutoaprojectthatyouwillneedtostipulateandcommittospecifictimeparametersaccordingtoclientneeds.Itmaybethataclientishappytoagreeasetnumberofhoursperweekanddoesnotmindwhentheyareworkedaslongasdeadlinesaremet.Othersmayrequirethosehoursoncertaindays/timeslots.Allweaskisthatyouadheretowhateverworkingarrangementisagreedwiththeclientandaimtoexceedtheirexpectations.HOWMUCHCANICHARGEANDHOWAMIPAID?Youdecideyourdailyrateandwewilldoourbesttosecurethisonanyprojectyouworkon.RevenuefortheDifferenceCollectivecomesfromanadditional25%whichisaddedontop,soyourdailyrateisnotcompromised.Whiletherearenoguarantees,thereisnoreasonwhybudgetsshouldbesqueezedbyclientsanymorefortheCollectivethanatraditionalagency,especiallysinceourmodeleliminatesmanyofthetraditionalagencyoverheads.Itisusefulforustoknowifthereisanyflexibilityatall,forexample,ifyouwouldbewillingtoworkforareducedrateforacharitableorganizationortogainparticularexperience.ThereisalsothepossibilityofworkingfortheCollectivebetweenjobsonareducedrate,assistinguswithourownPRandotheraspectsofbusinessdevelopment.Youareaskedtosubmityourinvoiceonthelastdayofthemonthoroncompletionoftheproject,whichevercomesfirst,andyouwillbepaidwithin30days.CANISUBSTITUTEMYSELFWITHANOTHERFREELANCERIFNECESSARY?Ifyouhaveagreedtoleadorworkonaprojectthenwewouldaskthatyoudoeverythingpossibletofulfillyourbrief,particularlygiventheemphasisweareplacingonourmembershavingaproventrackrecordasdedicatedandtrustedprofessionals.IntheeventofillnessorunforeseencircumstancesthatpreventyoufromfulfillingyourrolewewouldaskthatyounotifyyourprojectleadandAngieattheearliestpossibleconvenience,soasuitablereplacementcanbefoundfromwithintheDifferenceCollectivewithminimaldisruption.ByallmeanssuggestasuitablereplacementfromwithintheCollectivebutthefinaldecisionrestswiththeCoreCollective.WILLIBEEMPLOYEDBYTHEDIFFERENCECOLLECTIVE?No,youwon’tbeanemployee.Alloftheindividualsinourcommunityareindependentfreelancersworkingflexiblyontheirowntermsaseitherasoletraderoralimitedcompany.ThesameappliestoCoreMembers.

AMIFREETOWORKFOROTHERCOMPANIESONAFREELANCEBASISATTHESAMETIME?Yes.Wecan’tguaranteeworkforourmembersandsoallarewelcometoworkforotherclientsoutsideoftheDifferenceCollective.However,wewouldaskyoutobetransparentandkeepusintheloop,sowehaveaclearpictureastoyouravailabilityandtoensuretherearenoconflictsofinterest.HOWISACLIENTASSIGNEDACOLLECTIVECONSULTANTORTEAMANDWHODECIDES?AcorememberofTheDifferenceCollectivewillcapturethebriefinaprojectconfirmationformandnotifyAssociateMembersviaBasecamp.Associatesareinvitedtosubmitanexpressionofinterestonworkingonthebusinesstogetherwiththeirrelevantexperience/suitabilityfortherole.Insomecases,theclientmaybepresentedwithacoupleofsuitablecandidatestoselectfromandinothersonerecommendationwillbemade.Oncetheclienthasreachedadecision,allrelevantpartieswillbeinformedandJamesStaples,HeadofAllThingsTechnicalwillupgradeyouraccesstotheCollective,soyoubecomeanActiveMemberandcanaccessallrelevantfilesandsystems.IFTHEREISNOPHYSICALOFFICEORWORKSPACE,HOWDOTEAMSCOLLABORATEANDWORKEFFICIENTLY?TheDifferenceCollectiveusesBasecampasourmaincommunicationsandinternalprojectmanagementtool.Aswellasprovidinganefficientandeffectivemeansofmanagingteamprojects,Basecampalsocreatesaplatformforourvirtualcommunitywherewecancollaborate,shareideasandbondasaCollective.IfateamortheCollectiveneedsaphysicalofficespace,wehireitforthetimeitisneededbutwefindthatvideo-conferencingfulfilsourrequirementsonmostoccasions.Asthenamesuggests,we#WorkDifferently,butitisourbeliefthatbycuttingouttheoverheadsandempoweringourmemberstoworkcollectivelyandontheirownterms,productivityisincreasedresultinginsuperioroutputs.HOWDOYOUMAINTAINHIGHSTANDARDSOFWORKANDMANAGEQUALITYCONTROLACROSSTHECOLLECTIVE?TheDifferenceCollectiveonlyacceptssenior,talentedandpersonallyrecommendedtalenttoensurethatqualityliesattheheartofeverythingwedo.Eachprojectleadwillmanageclientliaisonandtakeresponsibilityforqualitycontrol.However,majordocumentswillalsobereviewedbyamemberoftheCoreCollectivepriortobeingsenttotheclient.AMIEXPECTEDTOUPDATEMYSOCIALMEDIACHANNELS,EG,LINKEDINANDIFSO,WHEN?WewouldencourageallofourAssociateMemberstoaddTheDifferenceCollectivetoLinkedinandothersocialmediaprofilesonceyouareaccepted.YoudonotneedtowaituntilyouareanActiveMember.Youwillbeprovidedwithcopytouseatyourdiscretion.

ARETHEREANYINCENTIVESFORINTRODUCINGCONSULTANTSORBRINGINGWORKINTOTHECOLLECTIVE?ThestrengthoftheDifferenceCollectiveliesinthewealthofexperienceandexpertiseofitsAssociateMembersandsowewelcomerecommendationsoftalentedindividualswhoshareourvaluesandcommitmenttoflexibleworking.WhiletherearenoincentivesforintroducingsomeonetotheCollective,ultimately,weallbenefitfromrecommendationsofconsultantswhocanfurtherenrichourcreativityandbroadenourappeal.IfyoubringbusinesstotheCollectivethefollowingincentivisedpaymentsareofferedtosayaHUGEthankyou!• £2,500-£4,999wewillgiveyou£150• £5,000-£9,999wewillgiveyou£250• £10,000-£20,000wewillgiveyou£500• Ifover£20,000,wow,let’sdiscuss!

SUPPORTINGYOU

WHATSUPPORTISAVAILABLEONADAY-TO-DAYBASIS,BOTHINTERMSOFWORKINGPRACTICESANDACCESSTOCOREMEMBERS?OneofthemainstrengthsoftheDifferenceCollectiveishavingawealthofexperience,specialismsandsupportatyourfingertips,whichyoucantapintoatanytime.Aswellasprovidinganefficientandeffectivemeansofprojectmanagementandvirtualcommunication,Basecampwillalsohousevariousmaterialsrelatingtoworkingpracticesand‘howto’guides.AmemberoftheCoreCollectiveisalwaysonhandforadviceorsupport.WHOCANHELPMEGETEVERYTHINGSETUP,EMAIL,ACCESSTODRIVESETC?WehavearobustCoreCollectiveteamwhocanassistyouwithallaspectsofsettingyouupasafully-fledgedactivememberofTheDifferenceCollective.ThisincludesJamesStaples,HeadofAllThingsTechnical,whowillbeonhandtohelpyouwiththeon-boardingprocess,soyouhaveaccesstoandfeelcomfortableusingallthesoftware.WHEREANDHOWDOIRECORDMYTIME?TheDifferenceCollectiveusessimpleonlinesoftware,Harvesttorecord/tracktime.YouwillreceiveassistanceindownloadingthesoftwareandtrainingonhowtouseitwhenyoutransitionfromanAssociatetoanActiveMember.DOESTHEDIFFERENCECOLLECTIVEHAVEALISTOFPREFERREDSUPPLIERS?Wehaveasmalllistofpreferredsupplierswhichisexpectedtogrowovertime.OneofthemainadvantagesoftheCollectiveishavingavarietyofspecialismsandexpertiseallhousedunderoneroof.Allmembersareencouragedtosharerecommendationsofoutstandingthirdpartysupplierswhoshareourpassionforexcellence.HOWDODIFFERENCECOLLECTIVEMEMBERSSTAYINTOUCH?Weknowhowdauntingworkingremotelycanbe,especiallyifitisyourfirsttime.Thatiswhyhere,attheCollective,wekeepinconstanttouch,supporteachotherandgettogetherregularlysothatnoonefeelsunnecessarilyalone!Because,althoughwealllovebeingindependentfreelancers,weenjoythebenefitsandcamaraderieofworkingtogetherasateamandworkingdifferently.KeepingintouchTheCoreCollectivefeelsthatitisveryimportanttokeepintouchwithourAssociatesandActiveMembers,regularly.Yes,weareaCollectiveoffreelancersandweknowyouchoosetoworkonyourown,foryourselfAndwithoutthetypical‘companyties’,butitcangetsometimesfeelalittleisolatedorlonely!Wewillbein

touchregularlytoseehoweverythingisgoingandmakesurethatyouareenjoyingbeingapartoftheCollective!Weleaveituptoyouhowthiscontactismade,youmaypreferaphonecall,textoremail,justletusknow.ItisimportantforeveryoneintheCollectivetobeabletocontactoneanothereasilyasthiswillmaketheCollectivestronger.Tofacilitatethis,weuseBasecampasourmaincommunicationplatform.Thisallowspeopletocollaborate,shareideasandbondasaCollective.Basecampiswhereyoucangoto:

• Identifynewprojectsthatmatchyourexpertiseandinterestyou,astheycomein,sothatyoucanputyourselfforwardforthem

• TalkwithothersintheCollective,whetheritbetosay‘hi’,togetsomeadviceonaproject,sharesomecreativethinkingordiscusslatestindustrydevelopments

• FormgroupsforindividualprojectssothatyoucandiscussworkseparatelyfromtherestoftheCollective• Shareexcitingnewsandanythingthatyoufeelrelevantforalltoknow

IfweneedtogetintouchwithyouurgentlyonanythingwewillputanoteonBasecamp,butamemberoftheCorewillalsobeintouchbyphone.BeCollectivelyBrilliantWeappreciatethateveryonehascommitmentsoutsideoftheCollective,butwewouldliketosetsomedatesthatseesusallcometogetherCollectively.Let’sbehonestthiswillalwaysincludesomeformofsocialcatchupandadefinitealcoholicincentive-butweknowhowpreciousyourtimeissowewillalsohaveguestspeakerscomealongandusethemeetupstoprovideusefultrainingandinsighttoo.Itisnotinanywaycompulsorytocomealong,butwewouldlovetoseeyouthereandwepromiseitwillbefun!DOESTHEDIFFERENCECOLLECTIVEOFFERANYTRAINING?Withacorevalueof‘LiveCuriously’weknowhowimportantcontinualtrainingisandtheroleitplaysinbothyourongoingprofessionaldevelopmentandthesuccessoftheCollective.Someoftheprogrammesandsoftwareweusewillbenewtoyousowewillrunsessionsbi-monthly,viaZoom,onhowtousethemeffectively,andsharetoptipsandshortcuts,aswellasupdatingyouonthelatestappsthatmightsupportyouTO#WorkDifferently.ThesewillberunbyCarlyourHeadofMakingThingsHappenorJamesourHeadofAllThingsTechnical.OthermembersoftheCoreCollectivewillalsorunsessionsonsocialmediamanagementandplacement,mediarelationsinadynamicenvironment,regulationsupdates,creativityinacynicalworld,corecopywritingforsuccess,andsomuchmore!IfyouwouldliketorunatrainingsessionforusletHelen,HeadofCuratingTalentandCultureknow.Allsessionswillberecorded,soifyoucan’tmakethemliveyoucanalwayswatchthematatimethatsuitsyou..Occasionallywemayrunsessionsrequiringanexternaltrainer,suchasABPIandPAGBupdates.Forthesewewillbookaspacesomewheresothatwecanallcometogetherforit–andofcoursehaveadrinkortwoafter!

GETINTOUCH!+44(0)3302230646

info@thedifferencecollective.comwww.thedifferencecollective.com

#WorkDifferently