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Frequently Asked Questions
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Describe your service needs, receive competitive bids and choose a supplier.
Are you a supplier? Join The Resource Broker and receive free business opportunity alerts.
Earn up to 30% of The Resource Broker's fees by introducing new members.
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Please find below some of the questions we are frequently asked about the Resource Broker. If you have a query that is not addressed here please see our help pages or alternatively contact
us.
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What is The Resource Broker?
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The Resource Broker business services marketplace is designed to help businesses reduce their costs and save time when buying and outsourcing services.
Members simply describe their business needs (e.g. graphic design) and the Resource Broker invites appropriate suppliers (e.g. graphic design companies) to bid to provide the required service.
Members receive bids by email and can request an introduction to talk through a supplier’s proposal in more detail before making a decision to purchase services.
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Who is The Resource Broker for?
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The Resource Broker is based in the UK and open to businesses of all sizes and in all industry sectors. The majority of our users (around 90 per cent) are small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but contractors, not-for profit organisations and blue chip corporates are also members.
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What is the benefit of using the Resource Broker to small or medium sized businesses?
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Large businesses usually have dedicated procurement managers, established supply chains and strong bargaining power. Smaller businesses typically do not have the time to fully research different suppliers, a large network of contacts, or the clout to demand a good price.
The Resource Broker helps SMEs in a number of ways - they can reach numerous potential suppliers in one place; they can save time, as business requirements need only be explained once; and they can reduce costs, as the competitive bidding process encourages suppliers to offer lower prices. Other benefits include a direct dial helpline, twenty-four hour access, the convenience of receiving quotes by email, and the option to set a deadline and guideline price for required services.
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How does The Resource Broker work?
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As a member of the Resource Broker you can outline business requirements and
we will find appropriate suppliers. Simply click on 'find a
supplier' and outline your needs. The Resource Broker will send out a Business
Opportunity Alert to appropriate suppliers and invite them to submit
competitive bids. You are then free to choose to work with a supplier that most
closely matches your needs.
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How do I find a supplier?
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It is free and easy to use the Resource Broker to find a business supplier.
Simply follow the ten-step guide below.
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Get started - Click on find a supplier.
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Specify the location(s) - For example, if your office is in Manchester
choose ‘United Kingdom’, ‘North West’ and ‘Greater Manchester’. You can select
more than one location if the opportunity is based in more than one place.
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Select the service(s) you require - For example, if you require website
hosting choose 'website development' and 'website hosting'.
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Specify your needs - The first 250 characters will be sent as a Business
Opportunity Alert to potential suppliers so please make this concise. You can
also choose to attach a Word document, PDF document or text file containing
more information.
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Name your price - Specify how much you are willing to pay or invite open
bids.
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Set a deadline - Choose the time when you want to receive proposals from
potential suppliers. Your requirements will then be reviewed by The Resource
Broker and sent to appropriate suppliers.
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Receive bids - If you require clarification or additional information
simply contact the Resource Broker.
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Meet with potential suppliers - If you require a face to face or
telephone meeting with a potential supplier simply request a meeting and the
Resource Broker will arrange a time convenient to both parties.
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Choose a supplier - If one of the suppliers meets your criteria you can
accept their proposal.
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Pay for the service - After the skill or service has been supplied to
your satisfaction, or at agreed set intervals (e.g. monthly), you will be
invoiced the amount you have agreed to pay the supplier by the Resource Broker
for the services you have received.
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How does the Resource Broker generate revenue?
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The Resource Broker business services marketplace is completely free to join
and to use for businesses looking to find a supplier, as the company generates
revenue by taking a small commission from the supplier's income as a brokerage
fee.
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How can I use the Resource Broker to find new clients? |
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If you are a supplier looking to win new business please see our suppliers' home.
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To find a supplier, or to outsource a project, job or task, please
click here.
If you have query or require more information about the Resource Broker please
contact us.
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