Beware,The,Difficult,Client,Be DIY Beware The Difficult Client

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in When starting a new work at home business it is very easy to become consumed by it. We spend so much time trying to get the business up and running that we may end up becoming burned out and lose our motivation. There is so much to learn and

Beware The Difficult ClientCopyright (c) 2002 by Angela Booth Into each life a little rain must fall, and into each businesslife waltzes the occasional difficult client. Luckily, most clients are a pleasure to work with. The pains inthe derriere are also, when you have enough experience torecognize the type. I've listed several "difficult" types below, so that you can armyourself against them. The major weapon in your armory is THE CONTRACT. Always have acontract, no exceptions. Be especially wary of the prospectiveclient who says: "A contract? This will take you what, an hour?Surely you don't expect a contract for an hour's work?" (See "TheSpider" below.)=> The ConvivialYou can recognize her by her cry: "Let's have a meeting before Isign off on this!" The Convivial client:* always has an office which is half a day's drive from you; * rarely shows up for any meetings she's scheduled, and if shedoes, is always at least an hour late; and* never has an agenda for any meeting, and therefore neverremembers why she wanted to see you, indeed she'll convinceherself that YOU asked for the meeting.Your weapon: a signed contract with a paragraph which states thatall meetings except the first are chargeable at your usual dailyrate, which is $X.Note: if you don't have a schedule of fees, develop one. By theclose of business today. It's vital. Contact your professionalassociation or ring local practitioners to discover what thestandard rates are, and use these as a basis to calculate yourown fee schedule.=> The Extremely Cautious Her cry is: "I need to get input from Sales and Marketing, andthen Legal wants to look it over". The Extremely Cautious client:* has trouble with decisions, so rarely sees a project through tocompletion; and * micro-manages, so expect five phone calls a week while you workon the project.Your weapon: a signed contract which specifies your billingcycle. This depends on the project, but always get at least athird up front, and invoice monthly. Make sure that your contractspecifies that all revisions after the final draft arechargeable. When you hear "Legal" think: "revision, revision,revision".=> The Bargain Bazaar Her cry: "It came up that we really need X and Y and Z to makethe package complete. You won't mind including them, will you?" The Bargain Bazaar client is always pleasant. She gets on yourwavelength. She asks about your children, your hamster and yourgarden. She sends a box of mangos or a hand-tooled leatherportfolio with your initials in gold when the project iscomplete. Unfortunately, neither the mangos nor the portfoliocover the unpaid extra work you did.Weapon: your reply: "I'd love to do that for you, I'll fax you myrates and the amended contract later this afternoon."=> The ArtisteHer cry varies. Variations on the theme include:* "This didn't grab me as it should have";* "I expected more from you"; and* "I was disappointed that _______"The Artiste has a vision of the completed project in her head.Unfortunately, she can't articulate her vision so that you canexecute it adequately.Your weapon: a signed contract which specifies that you willcomplete one revision. All further revisions are chargeable atyour hourly rate, which is $X.=> The Spider, aka QuicksandHer cry is: "I'm sorry to spring this on you at the last minute,but we need it for a lunch meeting. It won't take you long". TheSpider is the most dangerous of the difficult clients.Here's how a scenario with The Spider plays out:* she dictates the brief over the phone because she's in ameeting/ in her car/ late for a plane;* the project must be completed within an hour or a couple ofhours; hence* no time for a contract; * you can't reach her when you realize you don't have enoughinformation to complete the project;* you'll complete the project knowing you've done a less thanadequate job; and * you won't get paid.Your weapon: your mantra, which is "no contract, no deal". Youwill be tempted. The Spider is plausible, and offers you candy inthe form of promises of future work.Don't succumb. Remember: you won't get paid. This is because youwon't submit an invoice, because you know you did a poor job. Youknow this because The Spider takes delight in calling you to say:"We couldn't use the work you sent. It wasn't up to ourstandard." The Spider is dangerous because she will bad-mouth you in yourindustry. After doing her best to ruin your reputation, she willcall you again within a few months, using the same tactics. At times in your business journey, you'll work with so manydifficult clients that you'll begin to wonder whether you'rewearing an invisible "Kick Me" sign. Always remember that TheContract is your primary weapon. It turns the most ferociousdifficult clients into purring kittens.***Resource box: if using, please include*** When your words sound good, you sound good. Author and copywriterAngela Booth crafts words for your business --- words to sell,educate or persuade. Free ezines: http://www.digital-e.biz/ Article Tags: Difficult Client, Signed Contract