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Work, Professionalism
Getting The Job Done On Time
By Jim Whelan, The Joan Randall Agency
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Yesterday I made an executive decision, and firedsomebody that was working for me. I don't like firinganybody, and I don't take the decision lightly.
In this case I was being charged a pretty good sumof mundo for work that was done on a monthly basis.I don't mind being charged a professional rate, as I waspaying here, that's not the issue. I am willing and ableto pay good money for good work and advice, whichI get from a select group.
The other people in the group I pay well deliver on time,or have a very good reason for a delay. Sometimes thedelay involves a change I've made, and forgotten about.I have a lot on my plate, so sometimes I forget things,and have to be reminded. That's fair.
But what drives me absolutely friggin nuts is whensomeone tells me something is going to be done andthen doesn't do it, without calling, emailing, orcommunicating in any way.
Basically, they just shove my work into a black holewhere I am left high and dry because they decidedthat someone else was more important at the moment.
I understand prioritizing clients, I do it all the time. ButI never leave clients wondering when there work is goingto be completed. Their work is on the calendar, and theyknow exactly when everything is going to happen, becauseI tell them, by phone, email, and sometimes in person.
If you want to jet off on an important mission, fine, justunderstand that when you shove my work in in the toilet,that there are consequences, including being fired.Thencomes no recommendations. If you can't work for me, Icertainly will not recommend you to clients, of which I havewell over three hundred and fifty.
There you have it, and I'm still angry as I write this. I dida lot to help this guy get his business off the ground. I paidhim a good rate, better than that actually, and he did goodwork, when he did it. Actually, he did outstanding work...when he did it.
But here's the reality. Two or three outstanding jobs don'tmake up for ten lousy ones, or incomplete ones. Or tellingme by inference that I'm a second class client. Not for thatkind of dough, or any kind, for that matter.
I'll stack my record of building a business against anybodyin the arena, and bet that at the end of the year, I'm on topof the mountain.
I just won't be treated as second class by anyone, friendor foe.
The lesson here is that if you give your word in a deal, youkeep it no matter what. That's the cowboy way.
And keep the whining to yourself.
From the big saddle,Jim Whelan
