John Krug - tech writer, cycling

Business plan, for want of better words

06 Apr 2018

Now that we have settled into life in our new home over the past year I’d like to continue doing some work in the realm of HE library analytics. The simplest mechanism would be to just take work when it’s available and bill for time and expenses as necessary. It’s just that it’s neither practical nor legal to do that. Please read on.

My rates are €60 per hour or €480 per day (excluding Spanish IVA or VAT at 21%) plus any travel and accommodation expenses. That’s competitive compared to the costs of consultancy from library vendors. Travel and accommodation can be kept to a minimum in the online modern world and needless to say, I’ll be going economy.

It’s worth noting that I’m keen on project work, skills transfer and building capability at your institutions rather than just carving out a niche doing analytics reports for you. But I can do that as well if it’s what’s currently needed. 🙂

Also bear in mind, I’m a systems person, not a librarian by training so in order to get the most from my services input from your local workflow specialists is going to be needed in most cases.

To work as an independent sole trader in Spain I need to register as an ‘autónomo’. This allows me to pay taxes and social security, including health insurance. The taxes are paid as income is generated. The social security part is not and is a fixed monthly cost. It’s not practical (limited semi-retirement budget) for me to pay the fixed costs hoping work will be generated in the future.

Given I have to work as an ‘autónomo’, to make this financially sustainable I need to have a commitment from two institutions to do work for two days a month each. Or four institutions for one day a month each. Or even one institution to employ me for four days. Ideally though it needs to be at least two institutions, to spread the risk, and must be at least four days a month to make it viable. I’m sure you get the idea.

I’d imagine this sort of work would probably be project based, maybe improving existing reporting, skills transfer and development, etc.

Of course, I’m also happy to work on one or multi day workshops and training sessions, at your location, based around your specific needs. It would be the standard rate for the day(s) plus preparation time and expenses in agreement with you. But, still, I need the regular engagement to make it all viable.

So, what can I do for your institution. The situation has not changed that much in the past year, so please take a look at my post from a year ago.

It’s worth noting that OBIEE skills for Alma Analytics are readily transferable to doing Primo and Leganto analytics.

One change to note; I’d love to do some work on EBSCO Folio if anybody is interested. I’ve had conversations with a couple of people at EBSCO, but sadly nothing has come of it yet.

And one more; I have some ideas that have emerged while preparing for the EPUG-UKI Analytics workshop at the British Library in April. Who would be interested in a hosted service that provided the reports difficult to do in Alma Analytics, especially those combining subject areas in ways not envisioned by Ex Libris?

So, speak to each other, speak to managers, get in touch and let’s see what can be arranged.

Thanks!