Perhaps I am the odd-man-out in this matter. I have been "in the game" since 1991. In all the years I have been offering my solutions and applications I have not once engaged in battle with any client. The one prospect I did lock horns never really escalated to anger, it was a matter of him wanting to own an application I proposed developing at a very low rate for him with the understanding I was planning to market it to other business owners (hence spreading the development cost over a larger use base resulting in a much lower cost of entry for all). He wanted the low price ($8,000 vs $160,000) AND to own the software. We agreed to not agree on that point and I left knowing we would never agree - and that he would never be a client of mine.
That said, there was a time the wife of a client did chew me out. I had been asked to become a staff member of the client's company, while being allowed to continue my own business, take client calls as needed, etc. Well, the wife took exception to how I handled a mass mailing using my software to select certain records (my method was correct, but she did not understand why I had deselected a certain group - never mind the fact it was a group she had once told me to never mail anything to). After she found I had "missed some customers" she called me to an unused office, slammed the office door shut, and chewed me up one side and down the other. Then she asked me is I had anything to say. "Yes." said I calmly, "You have my resignation as of immediately. I do not have to take this kind of treatment from anyone, and I will not tolerate such behavior from anyone. Further, I deselected those records you told me to never send any mailers to. Your husband is welcome to call on me at any time, but until you learn how to treat me in a rational manner our need to communicate is hereby severed." Well, she, her husband, my wife and I have become pretty close friends since then (he is still a client using my software heavily), and we never talk about that fateful day. I did give them a few weeks to find a replacement for my position, and I helped them in the interview process. I never did abandon them, but my point was well made. And my pride and dignity remained intact. I guess I figure if there is potential for any hostilitity or bad behavior it is best for someone to handle a client like that. I make a point of getting into a trusted position with a client, and becoming a trusted advisor on all matters technical, in addition to being the provider of application software with a recurring revenue stream. My approach is the "Kinder, Gentler" way of doing business. This is the kind of freedom that comes with a recurring license business model. I truly get to pick and choose who I work with. Gil > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Stephen Russell > Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 8:48 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [NF] Contract not renewed. > > > On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 6:28 PM, Michael Madigan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > Thanks Kristyne. > > > > It's pretty silly to assume I would yell at a paying client like I would > > yell at a faceless email list member. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > I find that hard to believe actually. I would guess that your personality > is consistent instead of perpendicular. > > Everyone has the same tendency to act in similar manners. I hope > you don't > think that your changing your stripes while at work? ;-> > > -- > Stephen Russell > Sr. Production Systems Programmer > Mimeo.com > Memphis TN > > 901.246-0159 > > > --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts --- > multipart/alternative > text/plain (text body -- kept) > text/html > --- > [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
