Another episode of communications

I just finished a project for a client. He recently had a partner, and we worked quite well together. The project turned out great and everyone was happy about it, except one little thing that my client’s partner wasn’t “impressed” with– my invoice.

In this case I did give them an estimate at the beginning of the project. When they finally were ready to finalize everything, I sent them the first invoice, including the work sheet showing the worked hours was exceeded its limit by all the changes they made during that stage.

At the final stage we made major changes and as well many little ones. My client and his partner both were aware that I had to spend more time to make all of the adjustments according to the given instructions.

Since this job had become larger in size, I gave my client a break by giving some courtesy work in some hours, and not charging meeting time, etc. They both liked my work and were pleased for what I did for them. It was a bit discouraged to me to find that my client’s partner didn’t value what I’ve done for the project. Fortunately my client who worked with me and knew me well didn’t find it too difficult to accept the fact. He was glad to pass on my email of explanation and a few guidelines to his partner. So that in future we would all have a better understanding with everyone’s work condition.

As a freelance graphic designer I believe that a strong and a good communication is always a number one list on the jobs. Some may not agree with me to honor the time of meetings because I wouldn’t charge my clients like lawyers counting by the billing minute down to a phone conversation. I consider communication is to help me do a better and efficient job. It also helps the client gets a better picture what to expect from me. It won’t make me happier if I charged my client for the time of exploring on something we could simply talked about it first. I believe in quality work as well as spending quality time, not wasting any energy on unnecessary things.

Another thing was that if my client really messed up with the numbers big time, I wouldn’t mind to adjust my part so that their business would make sense. I believe in doing others small favourites would save you in the future when you’re in need. This concept coming from years ago when I first started my own business, I have dealt with a supplier who supported me by telling me that whenever I ran into a trouble just asked for help. I would never know what others could do for me if I never asked for it. The owner of the supplier was kind because he has been through tough times when he first started his business. I have heard stories of him saving other small businesses by making some workable plans with them when they were in troubles. I was very moved and it inspired me to believe that you didn’t need to be “dirty” to succeed in business.

I guessed that was one of the reasons why my client believed in me and my work. He knew that if I honored his business in the past I would not be unfair to him today. After all, it was only business. People and relationships should have a higher stand above that. Otherwise life would have no purposes if you had to snatch and steal to get what you want. Earn it with a sincere attitude. It will make you truly enjoy your reward!