On My Terms

A few weeks ago, a large client asked me for an estimate for a decent-sized project, and then asked if I’d be willing to work in-house. Not that I’m upset with them, but that would mean giving up as many as three hours of my day to driving. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past five years, it’s that time is money. I can spend that three hours recharging my batteries, spending quality time with the Mister, or doing other billable work. The only safe and productive thing you can do in a car is listen to audiobooks… which there are plenty of in this world, but that’s only one small part of who I want to be.

Another perfect example of clients wasting your time are the ones who are trying to get you to chase down a cheaper printing quote. *Slides soapbox to downstage center.* In doing so, they’re racking up billable hours. They get the upper hand if I’m not billing them for that time, which happens more than I care to admit. Another reason I won’t do it anymore is because it destroys my relationships with vendors by making them jump through hoops, and essentially, it’s peddling bids. They are better off trusting that I’m going to choose a good vendor, and finding a cheaper one will still cost them the same amount, but with cheapened results. Their other option is to take it and get it printed themselves, which usually means they’re rolling the dice. Then it costs them more in the end to have me come in and do it right the second time around. Given, there is a chance that it will turn out all right, but they have no control over the quality of the files I relinquish. I would never sabotage a client’s files, but in good conscience I can’t guarantee the outcome when my contact with the vendor is cut off. I encourage clients to challenge this theory if so tempted, because I don’t care to waste my time trying to convince them to do it my way.

Working with clients can be quite masochistic. I’m a glutton for the challenge, the struggle, the fear and loathing, and the chase.

~ by mw on February 6, 2008.