FairWorx: A Consulting Cooperative
FairWorx is a cooperative of consultants and knowledge workers in the consulting industry. As a member-owned and open cooperative, we aim to help our members succeed and thrive in the gig economy. FairWorx facilitates collaboration among members and with our extended network, enabling them to access opportunities, share knowledge, and develop their professional capabilities. By doing so, we help our members serving clients and communities better.
Why do we need an alternate business model for consulting?
The consulting industry is increasingly shifting towards a gig economy model. More and more consultants prefer to work as freelancers, or have to take the freelancing route as consulting firms reduce their head counts to control costs.
There are many advantages to being freelancers or contingent workers, but there are also drawbacks to working in this "solo career" mode. This includes: difficulty in starting as freelancers, identifying opportunities continuously, losing personal connections / sense of belonging to a team, self and professional development.
From the client's perspective, there are also challenges to utilize freelance consultants / contingent workers effectively, including: difficulty in identifying the right talent in the market, maintaining continuity of services, and dealing with performance issues.
We see an opportunity to create a formal organization to address these challenges and add value for both the freelancers/contingent workers and the clients.
What is the Cooperative Model?
A cooperative business model (the co-op) is a structure where the business is owned and operated by its members. Unlike most business structures today, where ownership is concentrated in the hands of a few shareholders, cooperatives empower their members to collectively own and control the enterprise. This democratic structure ensures that decisions are made collectively and profits are shared equitably among members.
Indonesia's established cooperative model provides a solid foundation for FairWorx. Clear laws and regulations govern cooperative operations.
It is a for profit organization conducting economic activity. The members put in the capital needed to run the business and receive the economic benefits of working together in the coop. The coop charges management fees on contracts between clients and the coop and uses it to conduct the coop's activities. Any extra margin at the end of the fiscal year will be distributed back to the members in proportion to the contribution that they have made to the coop.
All members have equal voting rights in determining the direction of the cooperative and electing its leadership.
Why adopt the Cooperative model for Consulting?
Traditionally, the cooperative model has been primarily used for small businesses and non-knowledge-intensive industries in Indonesia. There is very little information about applying this model for consulting / knowledge worker segment.
We believe that the co-op model is also a great match for consulting / knowledge worker because:
- This model encourages collaboration among members, in fact the success of the co-op will depend on how the members can collaborate to be more productive.
- In this model, the members do not lose ownership of their creation. They can share it to increase its value, but they will always be able to benefit from their own creation.
- Members has more control to balance their own work and life
- Its non-capitalistic nature opens the opportunity to support those with little financial strength to grow both professionally and financially based on their personal competencies and capabilities
Our Foundation
Our Objectives
Provide services to members to develop themselves and grow in their profession
Provide services to clients to fulfill their needs through services delivered by the members and the wider network of the co-op's partners
Facilitate productive collaboration among members and the wider co-op partner network
Vehicle to share and develop knowledge and information that is trusted and beneficial to members in an ethical and responsible manner
Contribute to the society in the effort to improve welfare and social justice
Our Principles
Voluntary and open membership
Democratic member control
Member economic participation
Autonomy and independence
Education, training, and information
Cooperation among cooperatives
Concern for community
Additional Principle
As our work will be based on information and knowledge, we add to the above another important principle:
Respect for privacy, confidentiality and intellectual property
Our Values
Collaboration
We believe working together is better than working individually.
Inclusion
We welcome every individuals with the same vision regardless of background.
Integrity
Trust is the basis of all relationships.
Innovation
Our job is to come up with ways to solve problems and implement them effectively.
Sustainability
We want to contribute to the society for the long run.
Membership
Membership is open and voluntary. People who might benefit by joining this co-op include:
- Existing freelancers / contingent workers
- Those who are currently out of traditional job
- Pensioners who still want to be productive
- Academicians
- Fresh graduates
- Students
- Consultants working in traditional firms
- End clients
Each profile above may benefit from the co-op in different ways depending on their particular need and situation. In some cases we will need to manage the potential of conflict of interest through clarity and transparency.
Our Services
For Members
The services we provide to our members include:
- Access to database of member CVs and professional information
- Access to database of opportunities
- Tool to manage work in member projects
- Access to co-op's knowledge base
- Administering and managing contracts to end clients
- Internal training and organized certifications
- Member meetings and gathering
- Negotiate group deals
For Clients
Our clients could benefit from the co-op in several ways:
- Support to find the right talent at the right time
- Streamlined contract and project management
- Support in addressing issues in project delivered by members
- Support in preparing the talent for smoother deployment and transition
- Manage contingent workers using a more comprehensive and long-term approach
For Community
Each member of the co-op is also part of the community. We believe as co-owners of the co-op the members can leverage the co-op to bring benefits to the community at a deeper level than the typical CSR project in corporate.
FairWorx Organization
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is responsible to lead and manage the coop towards achieving the coop's goals.
Widita Sardjono
Ketua Umum
Condrojoko Widjiasto
Ketua 1
Vincent Hilliard
Bendahara
Vera Indarwati
Sekretaris
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board act on behalf of all the members to ensure that the Board of Directors and all members of the Coop are conducting business in line with our values and comply with all prevailing regulations.
Henky Purnomo
Ketua
Ade Rafli
Anggota
Aryotomo Markam
Anggota
Gayana Aspiranti
Anggota
Inge Halim
Anggota
Nalendra Wibowo
Anggota
Rinaldi Irsan
Anggota
Cooperative Documents
Access important cooperative documents, bylaws, and operational guidelines.
Anggaran Dasar
Fundamental bylaws and foundational principles of the FairWorx cooperative, outlining the core structure and governance framework.
Anggaran Rumah Tangga
Internal regulations and operational procedures governing the day-to-day management of the cooperative.
How FairWorx Works
Detailed explanation of our cooperative model, operational processes, and how we deliver value to members and clients.
Join Our Cooperative
Become part of our member-owned cooperative and benefit from collaborative excellence.