Big Business
Now I run a web design/consultancy company, but in the past I worked as a business systems consultant for big companies. I charged a lot. But that's no secret.

I learned a lot about how companies and countries work:

1. American companies often believe that what works in the US will work worldwide. They often fail to notice that in Europe and Asia there are different employment laws. What an American may consider to be a nice benefit will cause laughter in Europe. But that's boring, so...
2. Some French firms and organisations have pay scales that change according not just to your experience and qualifications, but for which school you went to and what gender you are.
3. Some UK newspapers employ no journalists at all. Instead they have editors and layout folk, and the writing is either bought in from Associated Press and friends, or comes from contributors who will cheerfully write-up a footie match for £50 just to get a press pass. Most staff is made up sales and marketing types.
4. Most large firms have a policy of paying your invoice as late as possible. But then I never pay my BT bill until the reminder comes either, so.... win some, lose some.
5. The vast majority of large IT projects would come in at a fraction of the price if senior management weren't vain or meddlesome. No, sir, your company isn't unique or different, so just buy something off-the-shelf and save a mint.
6. Most firms are honest - not because they want to be, but because if they weren't their staff would find fraud far easier and that'd be even more expensive.

More to come - may name names....
(clopinettes, Fri 28 Sep 2007, 18:11, Reply)