A potential money saver

Re: A potential money saver

zalenski81 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:08:56 GMT

It's a very good question Gillian, I must admit that I thought of advertising in the trade papers and word of mouth as the polls I've got back from the nurses have been quite positive. Admittedly this exercise has raised points that we hadn't thought of which we will now sit down and see if we can address but then that was the point of it anyway so thank you for your contribution. I hope that's answered your question.

Re: A potential money saver

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:42:27 GMT

Any chance of answering my question?

Re: A potential money saver

zalenski81 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:47:37 GMT

Thank you to every one who has taken part. This has been an interesting and very useful experience. Many thanks to you all and please do carry on if there is any thing else to add.

Re: A potential money saver

Lorna McHardy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:05:09 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]

That's the sort of feedback I was after rather than sarcastic comment left by some which are not helpful.

[/quote]

I wasn't being sarcastic, I was expressing confusion at the contradiction in your post. Sorry if that was unclear.

Re: A potential money saver

james herriot lied — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:25:43 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]

Thank you for your opinion. That's the sort of feedback I was after rather than sarcastic comment left by some which are not helpful.

[/quote]

Hardly a stance likely to win custom from those who would be, after all, your target client base.

It's a bad idea - taking umbrage at being told so is a bit pointless after asking for feedback. It might also be pointed out that some would consider it rude to post - for free - looking to do a bit of market research - for free - off someone else's database - for free - in order to set up what would actually be a competing business. Arlo depends on this site for his livelihood: I think what you've just experienced is a bit of loyalty to him and the service he provides. Worth thinking about how you gain that sort of support.

And yes, I do wish you well. I hope the point has been put across clearly enough that you'll be able to drop the project without over-investing, and pursue another line. If you had the naus and initiative to come up with this idea, you'll doubtless have a few other irons in the fire. Remember that Thomas Edison found 10,000 ways not to invent the lightbulb before finding the way forwards.

But as Niall says, grow a thicker skin. Or cheer up. Or both.

Re: A potential money saver

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:15:17 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]we are aiming to create a large database of practises and nurses.[/quote]

How?

I agree that a big problem is that with all the different advertising options available, any one database is unlikely to reach the majority of practices/nurses. We have to advertise in many places to achieve a good level of awareness of the position. How do you propose to achieve a large, current, reliable database?

Re: A potential money saver

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:12:07 GMT

GP practices have a web based system that's free, where locums post their CV and state the area within which they work. The GP practice then logs on and sees who's available. In principle it's similar to the system on this site

The system proposed here is a 'passive' system, looks like your £30 is purely to run the web site and relies on the practices and the locums to do the work , a nice little earner then for the web site. In reality the locum agencies do work for their money. They check the locums credentials and help with placements which is mutually benefitial.

Personally, I would have little interest in the system proposed

Neil

Re: A potential money saver

Mark Holmes — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:53:02 GMT

I wasn't being sarcastic earlier but maybe just brief. When looking to start a business you need to consider how you will compete, particularly when there are other very established entities in the market. You needs to provide the service either better or cheaper than the competition. Unfortunately nothing of what you have posted could not be replicated by Arlo or another in 5 minutes and he has the advantage of a large market presence already plus he is able to offer it free becuse of the other functions of the site. I really don't see it working. Sorry

Re: A potential money saver

Bob Russell — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:42:39 GMT

I like the idea of 'free'. Paying a fee is not free. I would not be that interested in feedback etc because I would not value it if it is anon and would not trust it to be open and reliable if not anon. The poster of feedback would be responsible for that feedback legally. It is not like ebay!

Sorry!

Re: A potential money saver

zalenski81 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:23:55 GMT

Thank you for your opinion. That's the sort of feedback I was after rather than sarcastic comment left by some which are not helpful. The idea of this exercise was to get a broad over view of how people felt about paying agency fees and after positive feedback from the nurses that I sent questionnaires to I wanted to see what veterinary surgeons and practice managers felt about it also. The project is still very much in its infancy and obviously all the helpful comments and constructive critiscism will be taken on board. Thanks again.

Re: A potential money saver

Niall Taylor — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:09:51 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]Wow thanks for all the nastiness... [/quote]

I thought you were after feedback - that's what you've got, in a fairly light htearted manner, why so bitter? You'll get far worse brickbats from participants if you manage to set up your scheme; you're going to have to develop a thicker skin than that.

The idea is likely to be a non-starter. No one is going to want to pay fees for information that's available elsewhere for free (eg here, Veterinary Times etc) or in areas where subscriptions are already paid for other reasons (eg vet record etc) for a service that they may only require occasionally. At best you might get a few people paying the £30.00 at the time they need the locum but with over 7,000 vets on this site alone and goodness only knows how many nurses you'll have to work hard and fast to get your numbers up to match what all the other sources have to offer.

Also vets and nurses reviewing one another is worthless, far too partisan and personal to be able to trust.

Hope that helps

Niall

Re: A potential money saver

zalenski81 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:09:48 GMT

Wow thanks for all the nastiness but maybe I didn't explain it properly. The website is a comprehensive list of veterinary nurses with ratings and skills lists and the charges are about 30 a year rather than the 200 odd pounds an agency charges for each booking. We would provide a moderated review system whereby vets and nurses could rate each other and communicate with each other and view each others credentials. I realise that yes you can post vacancies on this site but not every nurse is on this site and we are aiming to create a large database of practises and nurses. I hope this clears things up and am interested in your comments and feedback.

Re: A potential money saver

Lorna McHardy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:42:25 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]

without paying agency fees. [...] Would you prefer to pay monthly or yearly?

[/quote]

Er...

Re: A potential money saver

james herriot lied — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:03:43 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]

The website is to help practices find a locum nurses without paying agency fees.

[/quote]

Great.

[quote user="zalenski81"]

a small yearly or monthly subscribtion...... Would you prefer to pay monthly or yearly?

[/quote]

So, a number of locum nurses available....... on payment of a fee. From an agency. For a fee. To avoid paying agency fees. For nurses.

As the last poster may have pointed out, half of this service is already available - the free bit. Your revolutionary idea is to make it cost money instead of being free. Brilliant.

(Sorry for the cynicism, but it might just save some heartache and potential bankruptcy in the long run. Hope you find something which works for you)

Re: A potential money saver

Mark Holmes — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:58:52 GMT

As far as I understand that service is available on this website ... For free.