If you're looking for an understanding of a particular market, then you should consider a specialist in that field. Subcontracting One of the more attractive aspects of working with an independent information professional is the comfortable feeling of knowing who you're working with. After a while, the broker becomes part of the team. In smaller firms, when information professionals can't meet your needs, they can subcontract the work or offer you a referral. In this case, a broker who is active in the field and has a stable of associates to call on is a better choice than one who is a loner.
Subcontract arrangements are frequent in the industry and offer many benefits.
Many brokers provide their subcontractors with guidelines for format, and they review all the work before it goes to their clients. This can give you the best of both worlds - you maintain contact with someone who knows your needs and preferences, and you get the expertise of a specialist that can handle your current request. Other times, the broker may refer you directly to a subject specialist or someone who is currently less busy. While you now have to work with a new person, you might consider it an advantage not to have an interim layer. In larger information research firms, referrals are usually handled internally.