Image by wallyg via Flickr
I had an interesting experience yesterday. After lunch with a friend, I went back to his company who I have estimated some work for. The estimate that I wrote up went to the marketing director, so I just wanted to see if there was anything else he needed from me. Keep in mind, Tech Solution has helped this company through a couple tech related situations and didn’t expect payment because we knew that sooner or later a big project would come our way.
Well, that time has come. After negotiating the price down twice (taking almost $4,000 off the bottom line), the marketing director said he would get back to me within just a few days. There is no reason why the project shouldn’t get approved, so I started allocating resources (employees) and turning away some of the smaller work, or redirecting it to some of the referral companies I work with. Well, it’s been almost 4 weeks, so I stopped by to see if they needed anything else to move the project along…
When I walked in this guys office, I got a ‘deer in the headlights’ look. I barely said hi before he started saying he has been busy and he would have an answer for me soon. Then, after I left, he proceeded to climb all over his employee (my friend) about how I am a vendor and inexperienced and ‘wet behind the ears’ and on and on.
Guess what. They came to me. They asked me to solve their problems – and I would have loved to have them as a client but I hate bullshit. The client that eats away at time with maybe’s is one you and I don’t want to have.
Tech Solution’s project pipeline just got full – and this guys work isn’t included. I don’t care how much that estimate was. Tech Solution provides web services that help small businesses expand their presence.
The moral of the story is really pretty simple. The world of business is not run by older, complacent executives who are too busy running around barking orders at everyone to realize that the people who live and breathe technology are the ones who will help the company grow. And for as much money as this job is worth, I would rather accept 5 smaller, great clients who I can do direct referral campaigns through.
What about you? Ever had any clients that just pissed you off to the point of no end?
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