About FoodInc
About Us, and being a consultant. Interested in joining?
Our Commitment to our Clients
As well as our expertise we share these values:
| VALUE |
For any project we undertake, a prime
objective is that the benefits to the client will outweigh the cost
involved |
| HONESTY |
We have open
and honest communication amongst ourselves and with our clients |
| INTEGRITY |
We will avoid representing
conflicting interests, and will disclose to clients any such potential
situation
|
| EXCELLENCE |
We aim at all
times to give the best possible service to our clients |
| COMPETENCE |
We will only
take on projects for which we are technically competent |
| CONFIDENTIALITY |
We keep all client
information confidential |
Foodinc Membership
We are always interested to hear from experienced New Zealand food industry consultants, generally based in or close to Auckland. People with complementary skills are preferred, but those with skills similar to our current consultants will also be considered. We are looking for people with at least 10 years food industry experience, preferably in a variety of positions and/or industries.
There have over the years been some changes in the composition of our FoodInc Group, since it was first started with ten members in April 1998. Of the current members, six are still founding members. The most common reason for leaving is when a consultant on a contract assignment gets offered a permanent job, or a business opportunity that is too tempting to refuse.
Please note, we are not a Company and do not employ staff. Therefore, please do NOT write to us to apply for jobs.
FoodInc offers the network and contacts that are often the hardest to maintain as a "solo flying" food technology consultant. In addition we offer:
- Access to the use of our professionally vetted standard contract, with a balanced client/consultant perspective that covers e.g. confidentiality, intellectual property, and payment terms;
- Access to the registered FoodInc trademark which you may use in business;
- Your name added to the list of consultants on our web site as well as a short personal profile (unless you decline that offer).
In return we expect you to contribute to the FoodInc Group, and to operate
within our Code of Ethics. We normally meet 6-weekly at breakfast time at a
central Auckland location to discuss business. Apart from an entry fee there
are contributions towards expenses for joint marketing and publicity (e.g.
web site) as approved by the Group. We are set up as a non-profit incorporated
society, with annual elections for Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
FoodInc members at times work together on projects and we may share resources, from literature to lab equipment. We sub-contract to each other if another member has a skill or tool or specialised software that is needed on a project, in consultation with our clients of course. This could for instance be nutrition, labelling or experimental design and data analysis software. We refer work to each other where we think another member is better suited to a particular project or client, if we are too busy to service the contract ourselves, or run into a conflict of interest. Social functions with members and partners/families form an integral part of FoodInc.
Contact Us
If this sounds like you, provide us with your details by [
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Becoming a Consultant?
Are you considering becoming a consultant? Some of the realities:
- There is never a guarantee of an income, nor is there holiday pay or sick leave.
- Workload may vary from absolutely flat tack to nothing.
- Income may fluctuate widely, which may not suit your commitments in terms of mortgage, family, etc.
- There is no career path to pursue. You are a consultant and that's it.
- At times you might find it hard to get paid. Are you ready to become a debt collector?
- You will have to negotiate for every contract, not just once at a job interview.
- It can be hard to establish what you are worth.
- You will have to pay for your own computer (and regular upgrades and maintenance), training, conferences, travel etc. Expenses will take up a significant part of your gross income.
- Unless you pay someone else to do it for you, you are also accountant, book keeper, IT manager, GST collector for the IRD, and many other functions that you take for granted when employed by a company. These are non-chargeable hours and may take up a big slice of your time.
- You are the only one "bossing" you around so you need to be self driven
to keep going.
- Be prepared to work nights and weekends at times to meet a deadline.
- It can be quite a lonely existence. If you are a social "animal" this
may not suit you.
- Be prepared to be your own promoter.
Some of the benefits of being a consultant:
- Getting to meet some really neat business people that are passionate and committed to their products and business.
- Being your own boss.
- Getting involved with a wide variety of products, processes and businesses.
- At times you may have a chance to work overseas. Members have taken on projects in the greater Australia/New Zealand/Pacific area and at times even further afield.
- It can often fit in around other commitments you may have such as family, another part-time business or work commitments.
- Not having to be drawn into office politics and power games.
For further info on running your own home business see some interesting articles on www.homebizbuzz.co.nz
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