Arbolus
Arbolus Expert Network Review
Considering joining Arbolus? Let’s explore this expert network. Earn cash through ad-hoc consulting gigs, but expect fluctuating income. Competition might be tough, and rates may not always impress. Platform usability matters too. Let’s dig deeper.
Sophie – Our Expert Network Specialist: Sophie is from Hamburg, Germany and is our specialist on Expert Networks. After several years of working as a top executive, Sophie is now an independent consultant and is signed up as a council member of several networks. When she is not helping HuginX write Expert Network reviews, she can often be found enjoying thrilling Nordic noir crime series.
What is Arbolus?
Arbolus calls itself a knowledge-sharing platform that uses technology to help investors and consultants collect more insights from the best experts, in less time. It was founded in 2018 by Sam Glasswell and Will Leeming, who had previously worked in the expert network industry. Arbolus is owned by Collective IQ Group, a company based in London, UK.
According to Crunchbase.com, Arbolus raised £10.1 million in funding as of February 2022. According to SimilarWeb.com, Arbolus.com receives around 26,000 visitors per month and is most popular in countries such as the UK, the US and Spain where they also have offices. Similar sites include Xperiti, NewtonX, Prosapient, Techspert.io and Atheneum.
What’s the concept?
So, let’s dive into the concept of signing up for Arbolus, where you can earn some cash by doing ad-hoc consulting gigs on a project-to-project basis. It sounds intriguing, right? Well, before you get too carried away, let’s take a closer look and be a bit critical, but in a friendly way!
First things first, the idea of earning money through consulting gigs seems pretty cool. It offers flexibility, allowing you to work on projects that interest you and fit your schedule. That’s definitely a plus, especially if you’re juggling multiple commitments.
However, we should also consider some critical aspects. Since it’s a project-based setup, there might be a lack of stability in terms of a consistent income. Some months could be super busy, while others might be slower than a snail’s pace. So, if you’re counting on a steady paycheck, this might be a concern.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the competition could be fierce. With so many experts vying for gigs, it might not always be easy to secure the projects you want. Standing out from the crowd might require some extra effort on your part.
Now, let’s talk about the compensation. While the idea of earning cash is appealing, the actual rates might not always be as impressive as we hope. Sometimes, clients may try to negotiate lower fees, and that could put a dent in your earnings.
And, of course, it’s important to consider the platform itself. How user-friendly is Arbolus? Can you navigate it easily, or does it feel like a maze? A clunky interface could make your consulting experience less enjoyable and more time-consuming.
Overall, signing up for Arbolus and exploring ad-hoc consulting gigs is undoubtedly an interesting opportunity. It can be a fantastic way to earn some extra cash and indulge in projects that spark your passion. But, like any gig-based setup, there are some critical aspects to bear in mind. Be prepared for the ups and downs in workload, fierce competition, potential negotiation challenges, and the overall platform experience.
Is Arbolus legit?
Legitimacy goes beyond merely avoiding scams or financial fraud. It also involves delivering on promises, maintaining ethical practices, and providing a valuable and satisfactory experience for users. While Arbolus is not engaged in fraudulent activities, it is essential to be aware of the negative aspects highlighted in our review.
The positive aspects mentioned, such as excellent communication, fair compensation, and relevant projects, support the site’s legitimacy to some extent. Nonetheless, the negative aspects, such as the lack of feedback, unclear financial terms, repetitive project requests, and limited user input in project selection, indicate areas where the platform falls short.
Being legitimate does not mean being flawless, but it does require a commitment to addressing shortcomings and continuously improving the user experience. Users who sign up for Arbolus should be aware of the platform’s strengths and weaknesses and manage their expectations accordingly.
In conclusion, Arbolus can be considered legitimate in the sense that it is not a scam and does not pose a risk to users’ financial information. However, the site’s legitimacy should be evaluated holistically, considering both the positive and negative aspects highlighted in our review.
How do Expert Networks operate?
New to expert networks? Here is a quick guide to 10 key steps networks take when matching experts with clients for ad-hoc phone consultations.
Expert Networks explained in 10 steps
1. Client request recived
Expert Network receives specifications from client.
2. Search for candidates
Internal network checked for matching candidates
3. External resources utilized
Additional external candidates are sourced if needed
4. Vetting of candidates
Candidates are vetted over phone or through screener questions
5. Compliance and confirmation
Candidate undergoes compliance training
6. Scheduling of consultation
The phone consultation is scheduled
7. Consultation takes place
Phone consultation is conducted, usually on a single blinded basis.
8. Post-call confirmation
You receive confirmation of compensation amount after the call
9. Request payment
You'll fill in your payment details and request payment
10. Payment received
You receive the payment. Usually through bank-transfer, PayPal or pre-paid credit card.
Read more about how expert networks operate
My experience with Arbolus
As an expert on the Arbolus network, I have had a positive and fulfilling experience due to several key factors. Firstly, the Arbolus team stands out with their excellent communication and briefing process. They provide comprehensive and clear briefings for each project, ensuring that I have a solid understanding of my role and responsibilities. This level of communication fosters a productive working relationship and allows me to focus on delivering quality insights to clients.
Moreover, Arbolus offers an easy-to-use and intuitive platform, making it a breeze to navigate through projects, submit deliverables, and communicate with clients seamlessly. The user-friendly interface ensures that I can dedicate more time to valuable consultation and less time grappling with technical complexities.
A standout aspect of Arbolus is its commitment to fair and timely compensation for experts. They respect our time and expertise, compensating us appropriately for our contributions to projects. This practice not only instils trust but also fosters a sense of mutual respect between the platform and its experts.
The platform’s dedication to presenting relevant and interesting projects and topics is also noteworthy. Arbolus provides a diverse range of engagements that align with my expertise and interests, keeping me engaged and motivated to participate in intellectually stimulating work.
A major reason I trust Arbolus is its reputation as a trustworthy and ethical company. Their commitment to compliance and adherence to ethical guidelines ensures that experts and clients can collaborate in a secure and reliable environment.
In summary, my experience as an expert on the Arbolus network has been highly positive. The platform’s excellent communication, user-friendly interface, fair compensation, relevant projects, and ethical practices make it a reputable and reliable choice for experts seeking meaningful engagements.
The importance of compliance
Arbolus places great importance on compliance and upholds stringent measures to ensure that all experts adhere to ethical and legal standards. To maintain a high level of integrity, the expert network carries out thorough screenings of all experts before they can participate in any projects.
Ensuring compliance is a collaborative effort, and Arbolus provides comprehensive training to all experts on various compliance and ethical matters. Topics covered in the training include insider trading, anti-bribery, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest. It’s important for all experts to complete this training before engaging in any projects, promoting a shared commitment to ethical practices.
To reinforce the compliance process, Arbolus has a dedicated team solely focused on compliance matters. This team reviews each expert’s background and experience to identify any potential conflicts of interest or ethical concerns. Elements such as employment history, education, and professional certifications are meticulously assessed to ensure that experts meet the necessary qualifications and are devoid of any conflicts of interest.
Arbolus maintains an ongoing monitoring system to uphold compliance standards. Utilizing sophisticated software, the network diligently scans for any potential conflicts of interest or ethical violations among the experts.
By taking a proactive stance on compliance, Arbolus ensures that all experts in its network are highly qualified, experienced, and free from any ethical or legal issues that could compromise the integrity of the consulting process. This unwavering commitment to compliance and ethical standards is a significant reason why Arbolus is widely trusted and respected within the expert network industry.
How much can I make with Arbolus?
Consultants who are part of Arbolus’s network can expect to earn competitive compensation, typically ranging between $100 and $500 per hour, based on their seniority and the scarcity of their knowledge. Arbolus’s unique compensation model is founded on the principles of supply and demand. The more sought-after and rare an expert’s knowledge is, the higher the rate they can command for their time and expertise.
For instance, a consultant possessing extensive experience in a highly specialized field like nanotechnology may be able to charge more than a consultant with broader expertise. Similarly, consultants who have held senior positions in their respective industries and have earned a reputation for providing exceptional insights may have the ability to set a higher fee.
Arbolus also takes into consideration the consultant’s level of seniority when determining compensation. Seasoned, senior-level consultants with extensive industry experience and a proven track record of success are typically in a position to charge more for their valuable time compared to consultants in earlier stages of their careers.
Summary Pros and Cons
Here is a summary of the pros and cons based on my own experiences, and feedback from other users.
Positive Aspects
- Excellent communication and briefing from the Arbolus team: Arbolus is often praised for its stellar communication with experts. My experience is that the team provides clear and comprehensive briefings for each project, ensuring that experts thoroughly understand their roles and responsibilities. This level of communication fosters a productive working relationship between the experts and the company.
- Easy to use and navigate platform: Arbolus offers an intuitive and user-friendly platform, allowing experts to access projects, submit deliverables, and communicate with clients seamlessly. The platform’s simplicity contributes to the experts’ smooth and efficient working experience, enabling them to focus on delivering quality insights.
- Fair and timely compensation for the experts: One of Arbolus’ strengths is its commitment to promptly compensating experts. This practice demonstrates respect for the experts’ time and expertise and helps build trust and loyalty between the platform and its user base.
- Relevant and interesting projects and topics: Arbolus provides a diverse range of projects and topics, allowing experts to engage in intellectually stimulating work that aligns with their areas of expertise. This variety adds excitement and motivation for the experts to participate in projects that genuinely interest them.
- Trustworthy and ethical company: Arbolus has established a reputation for being trustworthy and ethical. Their commitment to maintaining clients’ and experts’ confidentiality and privacy instils confidence in the platform’s integrity.
Negative Aspects
- Lack of feedback: One critical drawback reported by some experts is the lack of feedback or follow-up from clients after completing projects. Feedback is crucial for professionals to understand their performance and make necessary improvements, and its absence can leave them feeling uninformed and unappreciated.
- Repetitive or mismatched requests: I have encountered repetitive or mismatched project requests from Arbolus. This issue may lead to reduced enthusiasm among experts, who might feel their expertise is not fully utilized or valued.
- Basic portal features: While the platform is generally user-friendly, the portal features could be more advanced and insightful. Improved features would enhance the overall user experience and provide better insights into their project engagements.
- Lack of opportunities to express interest in projects: Arbolus does not offer experts the chance to express interest in specific projects. This lack of input can be limiting for professionals who wish to actively pursue projects of particular interest or relevance to their expertise.
Overall Verdict: Mostly Positive Aspects. We Recommend Signing Up.
Considering the overall positive aspects, Arbolus remains a promising platform for experts seeking meaningful engagements. Experts are encouraged to sign up, but they should also be mindful of the areas of improvement and actively communicate their suggestions to the company for further enhancement.
This is how we review gigs
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