FEATURES
Almost every professional and business activity can be carried out online. Thanks to technology our workplaces and learning environment can be replicated online seamlessly. Provide details of your work requirement and you will be surprised how Freelancers can help to deliver your projects faster, better and affordably.
You can contract a Services Provider (Freelancers and Contractors) for your project on Smartsociates by either direct enquiry or posting a project.
PROFILE
- Basic Profile: Update Basic Profile and attach profile picture. For Company account users your profile picture could be the company logo or brand picture.
- Edit Buyer Details: If you are a Client using Smartsociates to purchase services, then update your Buyer profile with just a basic summary. Your Buyer profile will not appear on any listing but will only be seen by Freelancers that you are purchasing services from. However you need to uncheck the work option on your basic profile details.
- Edit Seller Details: Freelancers, Entrepreneurs and SME service providers are required to update Seller profiles and include a profile summary. Seller profiles will be viewed on the profile listing pages. All seller activities are checked by default. Uncheck activities that do not apply so your profile is listed on the right page. Complete all fields as required to increase your chances of being contacted by Clients.
- Edit Company Details: For Company Users, a basis company summary is required giving an overview of Company Products and Services as well as case studies.
DIRECT ENQUIRY
- Click on the Hire link to start browsing and to contact Freelancers and Contractors.
- Use our search filters to refine your search and improve your profile listing.
- Review Freelancers, profiles and contact suitable candidates directly to discuss your requirements and request a quotation directly from the freelancer.
- Your discussion should mostly cover work description, cost, delivery timescales, number of revisions and comments, specific terms and conditions, payment Workpacks for fixed price jobs and weekly or monthly payment for hourly or rolling contracts.
POST A PROJECT
- Click on the Hire link to start browsing and to contact Freelancers and Start-up businesses.
- Follow instruction to complete the project posting form.
- Once the form is complete, submit the project and it will be available on listings for Freelancers and Companies to search for and to express interest.
PRE-QUALIFICATION
- Pre-qualify Freelancers and Companies that have expressed interest before they raise a formal quotation.
- Use the Smartsociates pre-qualification tool to select and deselect Freelancers who have expressed interest.
- Once you have pre-qualified a number of Freelancers, they will have a chance to bid for the job formally by creating and submitting a quotation for you to review.
DISCUSS QUOTATION
- Review quotations and clarify your requirements with the Service Provider using our messaging and communication tool. Pro and Enterprise Account Clients can engage Service Providers using our voice and video chat tools.
- Your discussion should mostly cover work description, cost, delivery timescales, number of revisions and comments, specific terms and conditions, payment milestone for fixed price jobs and weekly or monthly payment for hourly or rolling contracts.
WORKPACK CONCEPT
- A workpack is a billable quantity of Work.
- Each Quotation shall have a minimum of one Workpack.
- Projects with a larger scope, can broken down into Workpacks, which are smaller units of work that are paid as each task within the project is completed.
FIXED PRICE CONTRACT
For Fixed Price and long duration work, clients can agree with the Freelancer or Service Provider to split the project into multiple Workpacks to match your milestone payment schedule. Sales orders and invoices will be generated for the Workpacks as agreed by both parties.
HOURLY/ROLLING CONTRACTS
For Hourly or Rolling contracts clients can agree with the Freelancer or Service Provider to split the project into multiple Workpacks, these workpacks may cover a period of time i.e. one weeks or a months wage. Sales orders and invoices will be generated for the Workpacks as agreed by both parties.
GENERATE ORDER
- Once all requirements are clear to the Freelancer, the buyer can place an order.
- At the order point the buyer needs to provide payment details or ensure your wallet has enough credit for the purchase. Payment will be escrowed into your wallet.
- Work commences once order is complete.
REVIEW OUTPUTS
- The Freelancer will send electronic deliverables or output for review and comments.
- Review outputs and send comments within the agreed timescale to ensure a smooth workflow.
MANAGE CHANGES
- Any changes that are identified to be out of the scope of an existing order will need to be discussed and agreed by both parties.
- An additional Workpack can be created to cover the changes.
APPROVE INVOICE
- Freelancer will use the “Deliver Order” tool in the order page to submit output.
- Once all parties are happy with the output. Click on “Accept Work” button at the bottom of the quotation page.
Invoice will automatically be generated payment will be released to Seller’s wallet.
FEATURES
Smartsociates Learning Providers Portal is a complete marketplace for where Clients can outsource training requirements for Freelance Trainers, Coaches and Training Providers to support them with their training needs.
Clients can achieve this either by searching for providers and contacting via the portal or by posting a training requests in order to receive bids from freelancers and training providers.
One to One Learning activities are also supported within Smartsociates. Members of the community can interact in different ways:
- Classroom Follow On – Get an extra session from your Course Facilitator, Lecturer or Trainer out of the classroom to close your learning gaps following a classroom session.
- Expert Coaching – Connect with an expert to be mentored in any area, improve work performance and excel in other subjects.
- Remote Support – Never be stuck on a task when you have a team of experts prepared to help you solve the problem – and to teach you how to solve it yourself if it arises again. Save time and money by engaging with an expert in a Teamviewer session in a wide range of fields, such as Software and Scripts Installation on cloud servers, building an engineering model using a standard software package ( AutoCAD, Aspensuite, ), or customising a CRM or ERP Package( SAP, Maximo).
- Private Coaching – Almost any skill that could be learnt remotely on a one to one basis. You just need to pick the right to support you in your Entrepreneur journey.
- For remote voice and video interaction Learners and Trainers can agree to use a preferred communication platform to hold a training session if it is most convinient e.g Skype, Webex, Net Meeting, GoTo Meeting, Team Viewer etc.
Smartsociates Pro-Shop
Members of community are able to access Smartsociates Pro-Shop to search and order packaged services from Training providers. This can include upcoming courses, events, online training material, coaching and mentoring session. You can buy package services via Smartsociates Pro-Shop.
PROFILE
- Basic Profile: Update Basic Profile and attache profile picture. For Company account users your profile picture could the company logo or brand picture.
- Edit Buyer Details: If you are a Client using smartsociates to purchase service only, then update your Buyer profile with just a basic summary. Buyer profile will not appear on any listing but will only be seen by Freelancers that you are purchasing services from. However you need to uncheck the work option on your basic profile details.
- Edit Seller Details: Freelancers, Contractors and SME service providers are required to update Seller profiles and include a profile summary. Seller profiles will be viewed on the profile listing pages. All seller activities are checked by default. Uncheck activities that do not apply so your profile is listed on the right page. Complete all fields as required to increase your chances on being contacted by a Clients.
CONTACT AN EXPERT
- Click on the Learn Link to start browsing for expert skills.
- Contact them directly to discuss you Coaching or Tutoring requirements and Request a Quotation Directly from the Freelancer.
- Use our search filters to refine your search and improve your profile listing.
- Your discussion should mostly cover training outcomes, duration and hourly price.
POST A TRAINING REQUEST
- Click on the Learn Link and then click the post a project Training Request.
- Follow instruction to complete the project posting form.
- Once form is complete, submit project and project will be available on listings for Freelancers and Trainers to search and Express Interest.
PRE-QUALIFICATION
- Pre-qualify Freelancers that have expressed interest before they can get a chance to raise a formal quotation.
- Use Smartsociates pre-qualification tool to select and deselect Freelancers who have expressed interest.
- Once you have pre-qualified a number of Freelancers, they will have a chance to bid for the job formally by creating and submitting quotation for you to review.
DISCUSS QUOTATION
- Review quotations and clarify your requirements with Service Provider using our messaging and communication tool. Pro and Enterprise Account Clients can engage service providers using our voice and video chat tools
- Discuss you requirement with the experts, agree on Learning Outline and Outcomes
- Agree on Training session duration, delivery timescale, hourly rate and communication media (e.g Smartsociates Chat, Skype, Webex, GoTo Meeting)
WORKPACK CONCEPT
- A workpack is a billable Quantity of Work.
- Each Quotation shall have a minimum of one workpack.
- For a multiple training sessions the worker or service provider can break it down into work pack and payment milestones can be agreed based on training sessions.
MULTIPLE TRAINING SESSIONS
Most training sessions will be time based and for multiple sessions workpacks should be designed for each session to match session payment schedule. You will be able to approve invoices for corresponding workpacks in order for Freelancer to be paid per session.
GENERATE ORDER
- Once all requirements are clear and you are happy to place an order, do so via the quotation the service provider sends to you and then training sessions can be arranged.
- To approve a order you need to provide payment details or ensure your wallet has enough credit for the purchase. Payment will be escrowed into your wallet.
- Work commences once order approval is complete.
HOLD TRAINING SESSION
- Coach or Tutor will set up meeting times on calendar once sales order is approved.
- Request training material if needed before session.
- Smartsociates does not provide remote access facilities. For remote support sessions both parties need to agree on remote access tools like team viewer.
- Pro Account holders may run session using Smartsociates Tutoring Utilities:voice, video, file sharing, screen sharing, write board and whiteboard or any alternatives agreed by both parties e.g Skype, Webex, GoTo Meeting etc.
- Complete training session and Request Certificate or Attestation of request.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
- Any changes that are identified to be out of the training scope of an existing order will need to be discussed and agreed by both parties.
- An additional workpack can be created to cover for the changes.
- A new sales order will be created for the additional scope and approved before changes can be implemented.
FEATURES
Smartsociates payment system protects Clients who purchase services on Smartsociates by ensuring that Freelancers only receives payment after work has been carried out and all output have been issued as agreed.
Smartsociates Payment Flow provides flexibility for Clients to manage project risks for large projects as they can choose to split project into manageable workpacks and only approve sales order for a portion of that workpacks to start off with and then release more orders as the project progresses.
WALLET PAYMENTS
- All Smartsociate Users can Buy or Sell Services within Smartsociates with a single account
- The first time a Freelancer raises a Sales Order, Buyer and Seller Wallets will be created for your profile
- The First Time a Client approves a Sales Order, Buyer and Seller wallets will be created for your profile
MAKING A PURCHASE
When a Client makes a purchase by placing an order for a service, payment will be collected from the Client Card and the funds will be escrowed into the Buyer Wallet. This will only be release to the Freelancer once work has been completed satisfactorily.
WALLET TOP-UP
- Users can top-up or pre-load their Buyer Wallet before they make a purchase. This is done from their wallet page
- When a User makes a purchase, the system will check your buyer wallet first and if there are enough funds to cover the value of the purchase in your wallet, then payment will be collected from your buyer wallet. If not the system will access your card to collect a payment
RECEIVING A PAYMENT
- Freelancer’s account will be linked to a Seller Wallet where all funds earned on the platform will be transferred to
- Once work is complete and Client approves Freelancer’s invoice, funds will be released to Freelancer’s wallet
- From the Seller Wallet you can make a funds withdraw request in order to transfer funds to your bank account. Smartsociates pay-out system will automatically transfer funds to your chosen bank account
- The Freelancer can cash out the collected funds into their selected bank account
TRANSFERRING FUNDS BETWEEN WALLETS
- You also have a choice to use funds earned on the platform to buy services within Smartsociates. You will automatically be assigned a buyer wallet and you will be able to transfer funds from your seller wallet into you buyer wallet in order to make a purchase.
- The system is designed to help Freelancers and Small Businesses limit their cash flow risk.
CURRENCIES
Smartsociates payment system supports three currencies: Pounds Sterling, Euro and US Dollars. The payment system gives Users the flexibility to select a payment currency when posting a project. Each time Users effect a transaction with any of these currencies an eWallet will be created for the currency in question.
FEATURES
Smartsociates Innovate feature provides a set of collaborative innovation tools to help promote Entrepreneurial and enterprise activities within the Smartsociates community. Start-up Entrepreneurs, Businesses and other Organisations can get their ideas to market quicker by reaching out to like-minded individuals who are willing to support the idea by sharing or volunteering their skill through an agreed collaborative framework.
You could reach out to Graduates or young professions who are willing to volunteer their skills on a project of interest in exchange for work experience or sweet equity.
You could also reach to experienced professionals willing to volunteer their skills for good cause e.g on a charity initiative.
This is a free tool on the platform where collaborators can create team or group accounts and manage project communication within the platform.
POST A PROJECT
- Click on the Innovate link and you will be directed to the Innovate page.
- Click on Post a Collaboration Project.
- Complete Project Form and Post and Post a Collaboration Project.
FEATURES
Almost every professional and business activity can be carried out online. Thanks to technology our workplaces and learning environment can be replicated online seamlessly.
Freelancers and Entrepreneurs can complete a project on Smartsociates from Direct Client Enquiries or by Bidding for Posted Projects.
UPDATE PROFILE
Update your profile page on Smartsociates with your full details of education, skills and experience and your profile will be made visible to Clients. The more details you include on your profile the higher your chances of being contacted directly with project request.
Seller/Buyer Profile: If you don't want your seller profile or buyer profile visible untick the buyer or seller options in the edit profile section.
GET CLARIFICATIONS
If a Client contacts a Freelancer directly with a request, use our messaging tools to communicate with the Freelancer to clarify the Client’s requirement. Confirm scope, delivery timescales, prices etc.
GENERATE QUOTATION
- Client will be able to request a quotation using the “Request Quotation” link on the Freelancer’s profile page.
- Once a Client sends a request for quotation, a new project card will appear on your dashboard.
- Use the project card on your dashboard to create a quotation and send to Client based on agreed scope.
BID FOR PROJECTS
- You can bid for posted projects.
- Click on the Work link to browse for posted projects and use filter to refine your search.
- Open project card and review Clients requirement and express interest to bid for project.
EXPRESS INTEREST
- Click on project link to view project details and click express interest if you wish to make a proposal.
- Client will be able to review your profile and you will receive a message from Client instructing you to make a proposal once you have been prequalified.
CREATE QUOTATION
- Once you have been pre-qualified for the project, contact Client to get more clarification if required.
- Create a Quotation. If required breakdown scope into more than one work pack to suit delivery time and payment milestones.
- Issue quotation to Client to formalise your proposal and for Client to confirm.
WORKPACK CONCEPT
- A workpack is a billable Quantity of Work.
- Each Quotation shall have a minimum of one workpack.
- If required breakdown scope into more than one work pack to suit delivery time and payment milestones.
FIXED PRICE CONTRACT
- For Fixed Price and long duration work, you can agree with Client to split project scope into multiple workpacks to match your milestone payment schedule.
- You will generate sales order as agreed by both parties and issue invoices for completed workpack milestone so you can get paid while project is being progressed.
HOURLY/ROLLING CONTRACTS
- Workpacks should match payment schedule. This could be weekly or monthly payment.
- A maximum of 12 work packs are allowed, so worker could raise a quotation with 12 equating to 12 weeks of work for weekly payment or 12 months of work for monthly payment.
- This will enable you to raise weekly or monthly invoice to get paid weekly or monthly.
START WORK
- Start working on project once you have received a notification for an order.
- Issue output to Client for review and comments using the Deliver Work Tool, then update output as per client’s comments (This applies to electronic deliverables).
- Revise deliverables to address Client’s comments. Issue final deliverable once Client is happy.
CHANGES MANAGEMENT
- Any changes that are identified to be out of the scope of an existing order will need to be discussed and agreed by both parties.
- An additional workpack can be created to cover for the changes.
- A new sales order will be created for the additional scope and approved before changes can be implemented.
FEATURES
Smartsociates Learning Providers Portal is a complete marketplace for where Clients can outsource training requirements for Freelance Trainers, Coaches and Training Providers to support them with their training needs.
Clients can achieve this either by searching for providers and contacting via the portal or by posting a training requests in order to receive bids from freelancers and training providers.
One to One Learning activities are also supported within Smartsociates. Members of the community can interact in different ways:
- Classroom Follow On – Get an extra session from your Course Facilitator, Lecturer or Trainer out of the classroom to close your learning gaps following a classroom session.
- Expert Coaching – Connect with an expert to be mentored in any area, improve work performance and excel in other subjects.
- Remote Support – Never be stuck on a task when you have a team of experts prepared to help you solve the problem – and to teach you how to solve it yourself if it arises again. Save time and money by engaging with an expert in a Teamviewer session in a wide range of fields, such as Software and Scripts Installation on cloud servers, building an engineering model using a standard software package ( AutoCAD, Aspensuite, ), or customising a CRM or ERP Package( SAP, Maximo).
- Private Coaching – Almost any skill that could be learnt remotely on a one to one basis. You just need to pick the right to support you in your Entrepreneur journey.
- For remote voice and video interaction Learners and Trainers can agree to use a preferred communication platform to hold a training session if it is most convinient e.g Skype, Webex, Net Meeting, GoTo Meeting, Team Viewer etc.
Members with a Pro or Pro+ Accounts
If you hold a Pro or Pro+ Account you will be able to List and sell packaged services on the Smartsociates Pro-Shop. This can include, Upcoming face to face courses, events, Online Training Material, coaching and mentoring sessions. Clients will be able to order for services directly via the Pro-Shop.
UPDATE PROFILE
- Update your profile page on Smartsociates with your full details of education, skills and experience and your profile will be made visible to Clients. The more details you include on your profile the higher your chances of being contacted directly with project request.
- Seller/Buyer Profile: If you don't what you seller profile or buyer profile visible untick the buyer or seller options in the edit profile section.
GET CLARIFICATIONS
If a Client contacts a Freelancer directly with a Training request, use our messaging tools to communicate with the Client to clarify the Client’s requirement. Confirm learning outcome and delivery timescales.
GENERATE QUOTATION
- Client will be able to request a quotation using the “Request Quotation” link on the Freelancer’s profile page.
- Use the project card on your dashboard to create a quotation and send to Client based on agreed scope.
BID FOR POSTED TRAINING
- You can bid for posted Training Requests.
- Click on the Work link to browse for posted projects and use filter to refine your search.
- Open project card and review Clients training or Tutoring requirement and express interest to bid for project.
EXPRESS INTEREST
- Click on project link to view project details and click express interest if you wish to make a proposal.
- Client will be able to review your profile and you will receive a message from Client instructing you to make a proposal once you have been prequalified.
CREATE QUOTATION
- Once you have been pre-qualified to provide a Training quote, contact Client to get more clarification if required.
- Create a Quotation. If multiple sessions are required breakdown scope into more than one work pack to suit delivery time and session payment milestones.
- Issue quotation to Client to formalise your proposal and for Client to confirm.
WORKPACK CONCEPT
- A workpack is a billable Quantity of Work.
- Each Quotation shall have a minimum of one workpack.
- For a multiple training sessions the Trainer or service provider can break it down into work pack and payment milestones can be agreed based on training sessions.
MULTIPLE TRAINING SESSIONS
- Most training sessions will be time based and for multiple sessions workpacks should be designed for each session to match session payment schedule. You will be able to create invoices for corresponding workpacks in order get paid per session.
HOLD TRAINING SESSION
- Coach or Tutor will set up meeting times on calendar once sales order is approved.
- Issue training material if needed before session
- Smartsociates does not provide remote access facilities. For remote support sessions both parties need to agree on remote access tools like team viewer.
- Pro Account holders may run session using Smartsociates Tutoring Utilities:voice, video, file sharing, screen sharing, write board and whiteboard or any alternatives agreed by both parties e.g Skype, Webex, GoTo Meeting etc.
- Complete training session and Issue Certificate or Attestation of request.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
- Any changes that are identified to be out of the training scope of an existing order will need to be discussed and agreed by both parties.
- An additional workpack can be created to cover for the changes.
- A new sales order will be created for the additional scope and approved before changes can be implemented.
FEATURES
Freelancers and Business could pay for services or earn money on Smartsociates platform by either selling your skills to deliver a project or by providing One to One Coaching, Remote Assistance.
WALLET PAYMENTS
- All Smartsociate Users can Buy or Sell Services within Smartsociates with a single account.
- The first time a Freelancer raises a Sales Order, Buyer and Seller Wallets will be created for your profile.
- The First Time a Client places an Order, Buyer and Seller wallets will be created for your profile..
MAKING A PURCHASE
When a Client makes a purchase by placing an Order, Payment will be collected from the Client Card and the funds will be escrowed into the Buyer Wallet. This will only be release to the Freelancer once work has been completed satisfactorily.
RECEIVING A PAYMENT
- Freelancer’s account will be linked to a Seller Wallet where all funds earned on the platform will be transferred to.
- Once work is complete and Client approves Freelancer’s invoice, funds will be released to Freelancer’s wallet.
- From the Seller Wallet you can make a funds withdraw request in order to transfer funds to your bank account. Smartsociates pay-out system will automatically transfer funds to your chosen bank account.
- The Freelancer can cash out the collected funds into their selected bank account.
TRANSFERRING FUNDS BETWEEN WALLETS
- You also have a choice to use funds earned on the platform to buy services within Smartsociates. You will automatically be assigned a buyer wallet and you will be able to transfer funds from your seller wallet into you buyer wallet in order to make a purchase.
- The system is designed to help Freelancers and Small Businesses limit their cash flow risk.
WALLET TOP-UP
- Users can top-up or pre-load their Buyer Wallet before they make a purchase. This is done from their wallet page.
- When a User makes a purchase, the system will check your buyer wallet first and if there are enough funds to cover the value of the purchase in your wallet, then payment will be collected from your buyer wallet. If not the system will access your card to collect a payment.
CURRENCIES
Smartsociates payment system supports three currencies: Pounds Sterling, Euro and US Dollars. The payment system gives Users the flexibility to select a payment currency when posting a project. Each time Users effect a transaction with any of these currencies an eWallet will be created for the currency in question.
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