[Asterisk-Users] My consulting story

[Technical Support]

That's the nature of consulting - you have to balance demonstrating
competency with solving the problem before being paid.  We've had many
similar experiences, and we now require prepayment for 2 hrs service before
we do any work (or even talk to the client for more than a few minutes).
(Despite attempts by potential clients to make the sales call into a problem
solving call).  We have undoubtedly lost potential opportunities, but our
"walk away with free advice" effort has been almost eliminated.
 
The same goes for proposals.  I can't count the number of times our
proposals have become a do-it-yourselfer's guide to setting things up by
themselves.  I think it's great if customers want to do it themselves, but
don't waste our time!
 
I understand of course that it's tough for users too.  There are lots of
self proclaimed experts on the list who after hours of billed time have done
nothing for their money (we've cleaned up after lots of those folks too).
These are usually the same people sending out flame emails about how smart
they are and how stupid everyone else is.
 
MD
 
 
 

  _____  

From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com
[mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Voce Lavoce
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 5:14 PM
To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
Subject: [Asterisk-Users] My consulting story


Hi everybody,

I would like to  be  awareabout what happened to me.
Two weeks ago, on a Sunday morning a French guy called me. Ask me to fix
some problems  with his asterisk. After fixing  his problem, he asked  more
and more, after 10 hours of work I ask him to pay me for the first
milestone. However, lucky me that I did not finish, since he never paid me. 
Be afraid and take your action if some french guy wants to hire you to do
some trunking with  the Philippines.


Hope, that this can help someone.

See you 
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