Posted inInformation Technology

Billing Rate vs. Effective Rate

This question just keeps coming up. In fact, just today I had a “ discussion” about it with a pimp who had no concept, he was just trying to get someone to take a technical writing contract at way below market rate. What shocks and appauls me is the number of supposed consultants who do not understand this concept. Effective Rate has nothing to do with “cost of living.” When you used the formula I … Billing Rate vs. Effective RateRead more

Posted inInformation Technology / Investing / Thank You Sir May I Have Another

Did You Ever Wonder Why Billing Rates in Florida are Criminally Low?

No, it’s not due the massive “import/export” business running through Florida, it’s Senior Abuse. That and the fact that the FBI hasn’t bother putting anyone in prison for violating the DOL prevailing wage law which went into effect with the H1-B reforms. You know, the laws that made it a federal crime to pay an H1-B less than the DOL prevailing wage and made it an even bigger federal crime to hire an H1-B when … Did You Ever Wonder Why Billing Rates in Florida are Criminally Low?Read more

Posted inInformation Technology

Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 3

If you travel for at least six months at a time. You want enough time to get a good feeling about the area, and to find a housing situation which “pays you to stay” enough to want to stay there. Yes, Corporate Housing is more expensive, in many cases, than the bottom price range of extended stay or two star hotels, but it has a comfort level those places cannot provide. (Unless, of course, you … Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 3Read more

Posted inInformation Technology

Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 2

Here are the rules of thumb for extended stay hotels: 1 The lower the chain’s price, the higher the odds an off-shore company is stacking L-1 and H-1B workers eight to a room trashing the place. 2 The lower the chain’s price, the smaller a room’s square footage. Most will be like having a bedroom in the kitchen. 3 The lower the chain’s price, the higher the odds of them having traveling construction workers rotating … Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 2Read more

Posted inInformation Technology

Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 1

“How do I calculate my minimum hourly billing rate?” I get asked this question a lot, and not just by green/new consultants. Whether you are billing locally or for work on-site around the country, the formula doesn’t change, it simply has additional values. Billrate = (onemonthhousing + onemonthtrans + $700)/40 Even a contract “down the street” is going to put you on the bench for a month if it doesn’t work out in the first … Calculating Your Minimum Billing Rate Pt. 1Read more