Re: clients dropping the ball

Hi Kosha,

Client management is one of the more irritating aspects of any project. I
send my clients a list of milestone dates (sometimes accompanied by a Gannt
chart with critical paths linked to these dates to really drive the point
home) with the explanation that if I don't get what I need by the date I
need it, their launch date will be delayed on a day-for-day basis (and I get
them to sign this document -- it is usually part of the bid). I also create
a list of the assets I need and assign a responsible party to each asset I
need as well as a date. This is very handy when I am dealing with content
coming in from multiple locations and assures that  I always know who
exactly to bug if someone is dragging thier heels.

The other thing I add into my bid is a clause that mentions that delays will
cost my client, as I will have to pay my employees (and myself) for down
time and may have to turn down other work during this time.

Cheers,

Elizabyth Burtis-Lopez
4 Monkeys Web Design
www.4-monkeys.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kosha Engler" <kosha(at)luminous-designs.com>
To: <hwg-business(at)hwg.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2001 9:57 AM
Subject: clients dropping the ball


> Hi everyone,
>
> I started my web design company in January of this year, and I'm finding a
> consistent problem with each new client.  The whole process slows down
> significantly when it's their turn to give ME information to complete the
> web site i.e. content, logos, answers to questions I may have, etc.  At
the
> same time - when the client signed the contract, they expressed 'urgency'
to
> have the site finished ASAP.  But of course designing a site is a two-way
> street.  I'm thinking it's because a company's web site is almost never
the
> "squeakiest wheel."  What bothers me is not only the time it takes for
> clients to give me info, but that I'm not getting my final payment when I
> expected to because of the client's dawdling.
>
> Does anyone know of a good way to get clients to deliver information in a
> more timely manner? Some sort of incentive to move the process along?
>
> Thanks!
>
> --
> Kosha Engler
> Luminous Designs
> tel: (301) 864-1163
> fax: (775) 402-4381
> www.luminous-designs.com
>

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