More for less?
The perennial question clients often ask: ‘Can the fee be lower?’ A simple but firm answer : Yes, but it’ll be proportionate to actual services provided!
Like with every other purchase, be it a product or service, the quality of your purchase is often proportionate to what you invest in it, under a normal circumstance. No one in their right minds would provide you more and earn less, unless you have some long term returns for him/her or giving his/her business long term mileage. When seeking out services provided by vendors to assist in what you need done, know that mutuality applies even when you’re the paying client. The greater the value you give your vendor, in terms of either guaranteed return business or direct collaboration, you’d get an equivalent value if not more back, at the end of the day (provided the vendor you engage has integrity & discretion).
The approach of getting a greater value from your investment in return for the vendor’s possible future returns, is ineffective. It’s an overused ruse and most are more than familiar. Even if you’re able to locate a vendor who’s desperate for your patronage in his/her service, your achievement may be a short lived one. Anyone working within the confines of a limited budget, will generally facilitate his scope of work, rather mechanically. There may be lapses in facilitating the scope of work or a professional quality and conduct, that is lacking. When confronting and seeking an explanation, the common point made is: ‘You didn’t specify / request”.
As we’re all out to make a living with some of us trying to keep that balance of enjoying what we do while making a living… Let’s work together constructive and help each other. Be open, frank and transparent in your dealings, communicate your intentions clearly and state boldly, your allocated budget. With the right vendor, you may be surprised at what he/she can propose, in helping you get more out of what you initially set-out to do, still within your budget (provided your budgets are realistic of course!).
