In a message dated 12/2/02 6:58:27 AM, 76066....@compuserve.com writes: << I see that that is kind of vague, and maybe I don't see what all costs they
are seeing. I have stressed to them that we won't get people to attend simply by press releases and mailing flyers: it will be necessary to make personal invitations. So the cost there is in time, not in terms of money spent. They are going to a local Sam's Club for food for the event, and a hospital might give some money. So I guess I don't see where all the cost is. And therefore I do not understand what their fear is. Or what changed. >> In most of the projects that I do, staff time is the largest expense. The man who was my mentor as I started my consulting practice used to recommend that our proposal to a client should always include estimates of the staff time required (which we could probably estimate better than they could, since we had a better understanding of what we were proposing). With a new client, I make lists: "I will do..." "Client will do..." with estimated times for the various activities. But I also agree with the thought others have expressed that the unwillingness to commit resources to this may be a sign of anxiety or foot-dragging. You might ask "What has changed since our first meeting?" "What are your concerns about this?" If they are not willing to take responsibility for the logistics of the meeting, they may also not be willing to take responsibility for results. If they do not in truth support the project, better to know it now before you involve a lot of other people, with the implication that their inp[ut will make a difference. No advice beyond maybe a little time for meditation tonight. . . Good luck! Joelle * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu, Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
