Methodology and transparency
How ratings, ranking, and sponsored firms work
Consultants should understand what actually drives the top list. That is why we keep consultant ratings, organic ranking, and future sponsored placements clearly separated.
How ratings are collected
Signed-in consultants receive one initial rating opportunity per firm without having to report time. New ratings unlock per firm when the consultant reports time in the platform. Sign-in verifies the consultant's identity, not that they have worked for the rated firm. Reported time is not independent certification of completed work. A consultant can submit at most one rating per firm and day. Firms cannot control, approve, or remove ratings.
Ratings are stored as separate events with one overall score, optional public comment, and the consultant's name choice: anonymous, first name only (default), or full name.
How the ranking is calculated
The top list counts published ratings within the active period, including initial ratings and new ratings unlocked by reported time. Older ratings expire from ranking; reported time unlocks new rating opportunities. Firms are ordered by highest average rating. When averages match, the firm with more ratings comes first.
A firm needs at least one published rating in the active period and at least one in the preceding 90 days. Only firms meeting these requirements can appear in the top list. Sponsorship does not change rating values or the top list.
How matched interest leads work
A direct interest request goes only to the company you select and is never redirected. A matched request may be handled by the platform before a recipient is selected.
In some cases, we may first keep a matched request while looking for a suitable firm. We may contact firms through public business channels and describe the role, specialty, and region, but not your name, contact details, message, or identity. The full request is available to one eligible firm at a time, only after it has joined the platform and been selected as the recipient. The recipient may change if the request needs to be rerouted.
How sponsored firms are handled
If sponsored firms are shown, they appear in a separate, clearly labeled module. Sponsored placement must never be confused with consultant ratings or organic ranking.
This site does not currently use sponsored firms inside the organic top list. If that changes, labeling and methodology must be updated at the same time.