Giving and receiving

[Joelle Lyons Everett]

In a message dated 12/2/02 6:58:27 AM, 76066.515 at COMPUSERVE.COM writes:

<< I see that that is kind of vague, and maybe I don't see what all costs they

are seeing. I have stressed to them that we won't get people to attend

simply by press releases and mailing flyers: it will be necessary to make

personal invitations. So the cost there is in time, not in terms of money

spent. They are going to a local Sam's Club for food for the event, and a

hospital might give some money. So I guess I don't see where all the cost

is. And therefore I do not understand what their fear is. Or what changed.

 >>

In most of the projects that I do, staff time is the largest expense.  The
man who was my mentor as I started my consulting practice used to recommend
that our proposal to a client should always include estimates of the staff
time required (which we could probably estimate better than they could, since
we had a better understanding of what we were proposing).  With a new client,
I make lists:  "I will do..."  "Client will do..." with estimated times for
the various activities.

But I also agree with the thought others have expressed that the
unwillingness to commit resources to this may be a sign of anxiety or
foot-dragging.  You might ask "What has changed since our first meeting?"
"What are your concerns about this?"  If they are not willing to take
responsibility for the logistics of the meeting, they may also not be willing
to take responsibility for results.  If they do not in truth support the
project, better to know it now before you involve a lot of other people, with
the implication that their inp[ut will make a difference.

No advice beyond maybe a little time for meditation tonight. . .

Good luck!

Joelle

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