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>Many companies will take advice from freelancers, rather than their own
>employees. The freelancer may not be subject to internal politics and if
>things go wrong, there is a convenient scapegoat.
Moreover, a freelancer - a "consultant" in the language of the
suits - is perceived as an expert, and therefore receives more
respect than an employee. I supsect this perception is a
self-rationalization.
The rationalization may go something like this: The company is
paying the consultant, and often paying more than it would pay an
employee. This decision must be a good one, or the people who
made it must be bad at their jobs. As a result, the consultant
must be good, too.
An employee may be no less skilled than a consultant, but they're
seen everyday. Other people in the company have a chance to see
their foibles. Moreover, without the need to justify a decision,
the usual perception of writing creeps in: it's something that
anybody can do, so those who do it aren't worthy of respect.
Or so I imagine.
--
Bruce Byfield, Outlaw Communications
Contributing Editor, Maximum Linux
bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com | Tel: 604.421.7189
"And see ye yon bonnie, bonnier road
That winds about the fernie brae?
That is the road to fair Elfland,
Where you and I this night must gae."
- Trad. "Thomas the Rhymer"
