Comments on: How to burn a bridge http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:50:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Geof Harries http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7048 Geof Harries Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7048 <p>How sad. I hope this finalist reads your blog :)</p> <p>geof</p> How sad. I hope this finalist reads your blog :)

geof

]]> By: hotnuts21 http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7049 hotnuts21 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7049 <p>What a sad person :(<br /> Most of the Jobs I dont get, dont even let me know I just never hear from them again, or hear that someone else has got the job.<br /> If you had gone to the bother of sending me a sorry but thanks email, I would have looked at that as a potential way to get a foot in the door for future jobs, and emailed you a nice email back. Not to mention I would be stoked you actually went to the bother of letting me know.</p> What a sad person :(
Most of the Jobs I dont get, dont even let me know I just never hear from them again, or hear that someone else has got the job.
If you had gone to the bother of sending me a sorry but thanks email, I would have looked at that as a potential way to get a foot in the door for future jobs, and emailed you a nice email back. Not to mention I would be stoked you actually went to the bother of letting me know.

]]> By: Ryan Wray http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7050 Ryan Wray Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7050 <p>This is obviously not professional practice. It makes the firm look childish. I can understand his disappointment in not winning the contract, but this behaviour only makes things worse. Be a gracious loser, not sour. </p> This is obviously not professional practice. It makes the firm look childish. I can understand his disappointment in not winning the contract, but this behaviour only makes things worse. Be a gracious loser, not sour.

]]> By: Scratch2 http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7051 Scratch2 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7051 <p>When pitching to clients, I like to say something to the effect of:</p> <p>"If you feel, for whatever reason, that our offering isn't the right one for you at this point, please be so kind as to let us know the reasons, so that we can do better next time."</p> <p>This isn't self-deprecating. I can say all that with full confidence in the quality of the services I offer. However, sometimes what I offer isn't the right fit for this client at this point in time. But, one day, it may be.</p> When pitching to clients, I like to say something to the effect of:

“If you feel, for whatever reason, that our offering isn’t the right one for you at this point, please be so kind as to let us know the reasons, so that we can do better next time.”

This isn’t self-deprecating. I can say all that with full confidence in the quality of the services I offer. However, sometimes what I offer isn’t the right fit for this client at this point in time. But, one day, it may be.

]]> By: Brak http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7052 Brak Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7052 <p>Amen to this!</p> <p>A sample story: Our firm was given the chance to pitch to a very large client, one which would undoubtedly be our 'big fish.' So, we pitched. We made design comps (even a 6' tall print out, which was quite impressive if I don't say so myself). Dinners, meetings, printouts and in the very end - we did lose the contract. But, you know what our sales team did? They called them, thanked them, and offered any help - no matter how small for free.</p> <p>But, you see... the firm they did decide to go with suddenly started changing directions once the project began. The engineering ability they had boasted in their meetings with them was really just an ability to outsource. Soon, the large company realized its fault.</p> <p>So, soon enough, we got another call. And now, we've got that client. Never burn bridges. Never. It's the only way you ever lose clients.</p> Amen to this!

A sample story: Our firm was given the chance to pitch to a very large client, one which would undoubtedly be our ‘big fish.’ So, we pitched. We made design comps (even a 6′ tall print out, which was quite impressive if I don’t say so myself). Dinners, meetings, printouts and in the very end - we did lose the contract. But, you know what our sales team did? They called them, thanked them, and offered any help - no matter how small for free.

But, you see… the firm they did decide to go with suddenly started changing directions once the project began. The engineering ability they had boasted in their meetings with them was really just an ability to outsource. Soon, the large company realized its fault.

So, soon enough, we got another call. And now, we’ve got that client. Never burn bridges. Never. It’s the only way you ever lose clients.

]]> By: thorbergdt http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7053 thorbergdt Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7053 <p>You can bet he won't be getting a referral for business from anyone you come in contact with. Always be polite :)</p> You can bet he won’t be getting a referral for business from anyone you come in contact with. Always be polite :)

]]> By: polvero http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7054 polvero Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7054 <p>the last job i left i made sure we left on great terms. we still contact each other by email and have a few good laughs now and again.</p> <p>it's too bad about this guy.</p> the last job i left i made sure we left on great terms. we still contact each other by email and have a few good laughs now and again.

it’s too bad about this guy.

]]> By: ecaptus http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7055 ecaptus Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7055 <p>Although inappropriate, email makes it all too easy and tempting to respond like this. Maybe he was having a bad day? Maybe you were the only client he had lined up for a while?</p> Although inappropriate, email makes it all too easy and tempting to respond like this. Maybe he was having a bad day? Maybe you were the only client he had lined up for a while?

]]> By: pdxi http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7056 pdxi Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7056 <p>I've been around in this business long enough to know that there's always a hidden opportunity in the loss of another. "One door closes, but another two open", as some might say.</p> <p>On top of this, the best thing you can keep in this situation is your dignity. In worst case scenarios, being rude only compromises your ability to do this.</p> I’ve been around in this business long enough to know that there’s always a hidden opportunity in the loss of another. “One door closes, but another two open”, as some might say.

On top of this, the best thing you can keep in this situation is your dignity. In worst case scenarios, being rude only compromises your ability to do this.

]]> By: nortypig http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2005/05/25/how-to-burn-a-bridge/#comment-7057 nortypig Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000 #comment-7057 <p>Although it's sad that they did this it's probably very frustrating to invest so much and then not get over the line. It's still bad form and unprofessional but maybe we should look at how designers are treated in this process. Couldn't it be considered bad form to for instance play 5 people off against each other in a pitched match to the death for your work on every single project? Not aimed at you in particular, I mean in a general industry practise.</p> <p>Knowing a small business is probably scraping on the bottom line I'd maybe suggest that you consider making the process either less intense or only field larger businesses.</p> <p>Its just a sad part of this business that for some reason our time isn't a consideration. As a small business I'd like the work but not be able to invest so much to chase you for it. Should I really have to jump so many hoops?? Honestly? Really?</p> <p>So while I agree the reply was unprofessional I have to say from a very small business POV I have some sympathy. No I wouldn't get your project but under those conditions I don't think I'd apply. Why? Because I find begging for a dollar quite different to being employed for it.</p> <p>Mmmm and yes I do remember the article about making designers submit prototypes and you ended up hiring a friend after fielding your prospects.</p> <p>Feel free not to hire me for my comments lol. This is a great controversial blog and I read every article but sometimes ....</p> Although it’s sad that they did this it’s probably very frustrating to invest so much and then not get over the line. It’s still bad form and unprofessional but maybe we should look at how designers are treated in this process. Couldn’t it be considered bad form to for instance play 5 people off against each other in a pitched match to the death for your work on every single project? Not aimed at you in particular, I mean in a general industry practise.

Knowing a small business is probably scraping on the bottom line I’d maybe suggest that you consider making the process either less intense or only field larger businesses.

Its just a sad part of this business that for some reason our time isn’t a consideration. As a small business I’d like the work but not be able to invest so much to chase you for it. Should I really have to jump so many hoops?? Honestly? Really?

So while I agree the reply was unprofessional I have to say from a very small business POV I have some sympathy. No I wouldn’t get your project but under those conditions I don’t think I’d apply. Why? Because I find begging for a dollar quite different to being employed for it.

Mmmm and yes I do remember the article about making designers submit prototypes and you ended up hiring a friend after fielding your prospects.

Feel free not to hire me for my comments lol. This is a great controversial blog and I read every article but sometimes ….

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