The Contact Partner and Distribution of Information

The Role of the Contact Partner
Each member firm should nominate at least one contact partner.
The contact partner acts, on behalf of their firm, as the primary
contact point with headquarters and also, in many situations, with
other member firms. The contact partner’s role is addressed in
various sections of this Guide.

Members may consider it appropriate to appoint a lead contact
partner supported by regional or service line contact partners.
It is essential that each member firm puts in place procedures to
ensure that requests from headquarters or other members are
dealt with in the absence of the contact partner. This is even more
important where only one contact name is provided.
If a member firm closes its office(s) during the holiday season,
arrangements should be put in place to ensure that a contact
person is available at all times during this period for enquiries and
that urgent requests for services are properly followed-up.
Most communication within the network is by email and therefore
the contact partner should set up appropriate procedures to either
give access to their inbox to another individual within their firm, or
to auto forward their emails to someone else during their absence.
With increasing use of the Braxton Network extranet, more
contact will be made directly with individuals within firms by other
members. Contact partners should establish appropriate systems
within their own firms to ensure that they are made aware of such
enquiries and referred work, and monitor the quality of both
responses and performance of the work.
The Worldwide Directory should identify the partner, or partners, with
whom the member firm wishes contact to be made by other member
firms. Each member firm should decide whether it is more
appropriate for a separate contact to be named in each office or
whether a central group is identified to deal with “international”
matters.
As noted above, it is important that the contact partner is able to
communicate in English.

Distribution of Information
The contact partner is responsible within their firm for the
dissemination of information concerning the network. All relevant
information should be passed on to all partners and staff in their
firm so they are aware not only of the structure and operating
procedures of the network, but also of all current developments
within the network. This would include circulation of the extranet
password every three months. Distribution of information is
essential to make sure that we maximise the value of membership.