The ICONIC Network takes a fresh view on how a consultancy team can be formed and run. It draws from the pool of expertise that resides outside of the two principal silos of PR and marketing resource – consultancy firms and full time staff. It seizes upon the trend toward more flexible, agile, ‘virtual’ organisations, melding the latest management thinking and information technology to ensure teams work seamlessly and effectively. The Network provides a set of values, an interface, tools, rules of engagement and a standards framework – a vehicle for our people to come together and deliver the expected results for our clients. Our team aims to provide clients with a familiar, agency-style relationship, and we work hard to ensure that our clients do not have to compromise to benefit from our radical organisational structure. We’ve tried to answer some typical questions below: How do I put a team together? Your initial contact would be by talking to Mark Charmer, who founded and co-ordinates the network. Alternatively, contact any other member of the team individually about your requirements. We will then put together a proposal including a recommended team. We don’t operate within a corporate hierarchy so your team will be led by the person with the best experience to match your needs. How much will it cost? We assemble and charge for our teams in a very transparent way. Normally we will offer a mixture of individuals at clearly stated daily fee rates, so you understand exactly what you are paying for and the role they will undertake. Because our teams comprise mainly freelance consultants you don’t end up paying for costly agency overheads, flashy offices or junior members of staff who were never mentioned at the beginning. In other words, you get what you pay for. Where is the team located? As most of the members of the Network are freelance we are based in our own offices in different locations globally. We collaborate face-to-face, via telephone or using email and instant messaging with our clients and each other. We use technology to share information effectively and securely. Why should I work with ICONIC rather than hire an in-house PR person or agency? We can offer levels of experience, accountability, responsiveness and focus that are, for some companies of a certain size or structure, often difficult to achieve when working with a conventional PR agency or in-house employee. We assemble teams in a flexible manner to suit your needs and can respond to peaks and troughs of activity more easily than in-house staff. It’s important to stress that you will get honest advice from us about what is best for you, given the resources you have available. Many of our team also work in PR agencies or part of the time as in-house staff and we can help to advise on what is the best path for you.