Customers “Tomorrow, or no more”

Sometimes we get these interesting requests.And on the part of the contractor (at least us, at least someone else), it is clear that strong experts and salespeople, not yesterday’s trainees, must be assigned to this presale. And it’s clear that such people, they tend to work, and they have some kind of schedule.

In the vast majority of cases, everything is logical – the client indicates his request, we clarify it, we talk on the phone, we gather the conference. Then we set a convenient time for all parties and meet in person. Sometimes we meet in person, sometimes at the client’s office, sometimes at ours. We clarify boundaries, objectives, risks. We decompose the project into parts.

But sometimes clients come with the position “come tomorrow, or better today”. You explain that this is not possible. You can come on Tuesday, or Thursday at any time. Tomorrow is already busy (especially today). But you can do it over the phone, then today.

– No, I want to see you in person.

– Tuesday?

– No, it’s too late.

– Skype with video?

– No, we don’t use it.

– But there’s no tomorrow. We already have plans for tomorrow, and unfortunately they can’t move.

– Oh, right. Well, then don’t. You’re probably not interested enough.

And you know what the conclusion is?
That’s how many times this has happened, we’ve adjusted. Threw everything, canceled the already scheduled meetings (with other clients, but why should they suffer?) To come “right now” to the company, which is not even a client, but is already dictating the conditions. Well, what if there is a real urgency? Well it burns for some reason.

Never any urgency! Half of the declared people may not come to the meeting. Goals are vague. What is necessary, they can not tell. To answer questions, too. After this burning meeting, the customer may, for example, a month, do not respond to emails and phone calls. Do not even confirm receipt of the protocol (not to mention the further action).

Not one time was such that “here we are tomorrow, or ever,” at least something serious was justified. Now we’re not falling for it) All the adequate people understand each other’s employment, and know how to agree on a convenient time and format of communication, regardless of the client-executor relationship. Client – Executor, this is a partnership, not a subordinate relationship (where the performer is already obliged to everything, just because he, maybe, is going to get paid for his work:)).