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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
1. Introduction
- The aim of the Alliance is to provide clients with a complete and optimal solution via access to a comprehensive range of complimentary services (one-stop-shop) as provided by the Alliance members in collaboration and project managed by a client manager to a set of standards and values.
- Membership is for those who want to make a difference by working with other members for the benefit of the client and to be proactive in contributing best endeavours to the Alliance increasing its brand value in the market place.
- The Alliance is multi disciplined to provide the client with seamless and integrated best practice services including Strategic Planning, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Environmental, OHS and Quality Management, IT, Knowledge Management, Professional Development Training, HR and Recruitment, Financial Management.
- The Alliance is a membership based global organisation supported by a leading edge website.
2. About this Agreement
- This Agreement outlines the requirements of membership of the Alliance.
- This agreement has been designed to serve the mutual benefit of all parties of the Alliance and provide members with an understanding of operating arrangements of the Alliance.
- The Agreement will take effect from the date of signing and remain in force for a period 12 month or unless the members agree to dis-continue the relationship (see ‘TERMINATION’)
3. Membership Benefits
The Alliance will provide its members the following benefits:
- An Alliance Web-page to advertise/link to promote each member’s business services as part of a complete client solution
- Use of the Alliance logo and templates as appropriate/applicable.
- ‘Lead’ referrals to from clients for other services that can be provided by other members of the Alliance. (Cross-business development). The Alliance will present to prospective clients members/affiliate members whose abilities match the needs/approach/culture/solution of the client.
- Opportunities to share ideas and work with other members of the Alliance on larger projects (eg Tenders).
4. Requirements of Members
Members will:
- Support and practice the values of the Alliance (refer to Values & Constitution) and conform with and contribute to its aims, processes and requirements.
- collaborate with other members to create Alliance Branded innovative products/services/approaches/methodologies that can be used by the Alliance to achieve tangible client outcomes/benefits.
- deliver quality and value to the client within the agreed timeframe and budget. and work in a way which enhances the reputation and integrity of the Alliance.
- provide evidence including appropriate qualifications and experience (eg assignments) to the Alliance in the chosen areas of expertise.
- obtain and maintain public liability and professional indemnity insurance. and their professional qualifications, licences, registrations, memberships and professional development/training.
- indemnify the Alliance from any legal liability and ensure that any legal matters (breach of contract etc) resulting from the provision of service and/or advice to clients are the sole liability of the member (company) providing the services and/or advice to the client.
- only provide services for which they are sufficiently experienced and qualified.
- ensure that the Alliance logo and content is used on all relevant documentation for any projects provided through the Alliance in addition to any members’ branding and in accordance with any guidelines.
- participate constructively in the monitoring and quality assurance process as determined by the Alliance.
- provide a regular report to the Alliance ‘client manager’ (where applicable) on the progress/status of work being provided to the customer.
- notify the client manager as soon as possible of any major concerns, issues or opportunities relating to the services provided.
- treat with the strictest confidence information obtained or provided in the course of negotiating, or monitoring the arrangements covered in this Agreement and undertaking not to divulge that information to any parties without prior written authority this includes client information and other members’ intellectual property.
- refer leads or opportunities to other Alliance members upon hearing of any business/service opportunities that can be provided by another member.
5. Project Management
It is expected the good project management practices will be employed to ensure that clients requirements (stated or implied) are achieved with high Return on Investment ratios.
As a minimum it is essential to ensure that the quote and project documentation include:
- client brief is clear and understood,
- relevant requirements (legislation, codes, standards, policies etc) are identified,
- deliverables, outcomes, and timelines are specified,
- plan of key steps to achieve deliverables together with appropriate skilled resources needed,
- fees (incl payment schedule) to achieve plan,
- potential risks in the project and steps required to mitigate
- regular reviews with clients/team to ensure outcomes are achieved,
- client handover and post implementation review. The client experience must reinforce the high quality and ethical branding of the Alliance.
6. Communication and Collaboration
This is at the heart of the Alliance model. Members’ will collaborate to create high quality services which improve the clients’ outcomes. Additionally members will keep themselves up to date of the latest developments in their respective fields. Additionally specialists in one region will share information with similar specialists in another and this way further improve the value and effectiveness of the Alliance brand. It is expected that intellectual property created within the Alliance is shared in other regions with in some cases some adaptation.
- Communicating between members, locations and regions in the spirit of sharing and improving
- Communicating with clients and stakeholders
- Collaborating to provide leading edge and effective services to clients
7. Evaluation
At regular intervals during the life of the Agreement, participants in the arrangement will meet to review the Alliance partnership. The following will be evaluated:
- Effectiveness of the Alliance in delivering value to clients and members.
- Business strategies, pro-activity, collaborations, contributions to creating/improving products, services, Intellectual Property etc for the Alliance
- Feedback from clients and all aspects of the quality assurance process
- Administrative issues
- Alliance membership (consideration of new members)
- Other issues as identified and opportunities for improvement
8. Fees
Fees will be paid by each member and will include:
- Start-up fee (first year only) to cover the costs of setting up members’ details and graphics etc on the website and in other materials
- Annual membership fee which provides the benefits of being in the Alliance as well as access to a dedicated website and provision of materials.
- Business Development Related Fees: this includes tender development, website/internet sourced successful enquiries, market initiatives
Fees are specified in the Alliance Membership Schedule of fees. Fees are due at the beginning of each year of membership and maybe annualised to a common start date in the future.
It is agreed that there will be no commissions for referrals/leads between members of the Alliance.
9. Termination
It is the intention that the parties resolve any practical difficulties encountered in a cooperative and practical manner.
Either party may terminate the membership by notifying in writing. Where this occurs the following steps will take place:
- All references to the ex-member will be removed from Alliance content including website and document
- The ex-member will cease to use any Alliance logo/content on documentation, business cards, websites etc or Alliance Branded products, services, approaches, methodologies, Intellectual property. The ex-member will also cease to make any false representations of being an alliance member.
- All Alliance based work in progress being performed by the ex-member will be discussed and planned to ensure that the clients’ needs are met to their satisfaction and the Alliance’s reputation is maintained.
- Fees paid to the Alliance will not normally be refunded
10. MOU Approval
Acceptance of the terms of this Memorandum of Understanding is required before joining BCAI.
