Our core business is in working with our customers to determine how we can best meet their definition of Best Practice. We understand that HR has broad-based recruitment responsibilities of which IT is only one. Accordingly we have developed our own Best Practice model to complement our customers' in-house HR skills.

We liaise with HR and Technical Management according to customer's preferences in order to drive optimum results and value for all concerned.

Screening
All B & M contract specialists are rigorously screened to ensure they meet our Best Practice standards. Our HR team and Account Managers know our specialists personally, but we can offer choice of candidates for any assignment.

To achieve objectivity and consistency, we re-present the specialist's curriculum vitae to our own high standard Skills Profile. This reduces superfluous information and focuses on the specialist's achievements, while ensuring clarity, consistency and accuracy.

Our Skills Database is fully integrated with these profiles and a process of continuous skills profiling ensures that only up-to-date and relevant information is recorded.

Selection and Proposal
B & M is very much a people business. We take exacting care in selecting specialists and spend time with customers to understand their requirements and environment before making any proposal. Candidates are always informed of the details of the project and are required to give their consent before a proposal is made, so customers are highly unlikely to receive details of this specialist from any other supplier.

Before making any proposal we re-qualify the candidate's:

• Skills match
• Availability
• Work preferences
• Location preferences
• Rate expectations
• Social circumstances and personal needs
• Understanding of fiscal and legal requirements

We choose specialists who are respected throughout the industry and whose technical skills are matched by their dedicated professionalism and proven track record. Our consultants and specialists are high quality professionals who offer productivity and value for money.

In our Best Practice model we:

• Extensively assess the customer need
• Research and select a short list of candidates
• Re-qualify the specialist(s)
• Discuss the customer environment, the work and logistics
• Obtain exclusive agreement to propose
• Review the Skills Profile
• Submit the proposal

Working with customers we have established our own Best Practice process to optimise delivery of the best service at the best price in the best possible timeframe.

The importance of Knowledge
It is of primary importance to B & M that we understand our customers� businesses, technical environments and needs. Because we specialise in technical roles, we understand the product knowledge and skills needed to service our customers' requirements.

Our in-house team is technically knowledgeable in all areas of z/OS (OS/390) and UNIX enterprise systems software, database management, and communications systems. In cases where a technical requirement needs a greater in-depth discussion, our Technical Manager will help refine the requirement, either in conjunction with HR or with IT Managers. Our knowledge allows us to better qualify specialist skills and expertise.

Independence
B & M operates independently of any hardware and software suppliers' bias. Our consultants give a wider perspective on practices and solutions.

For more information, contact Melanie Thompson.