I lost a client today

Temetka · 2016-02-02 06:55:18

I've had a few beers and need to vent.

So as some of you may or may not be aware, I am an IT consultant. I pride myself on being professional and providing my clients with the best IT services that I can provide. I have worked in IT as an admin and in manager / director roles for the last 10 years and as a senior technician prior to that.

I have never lost a client due to lack of skills - either professional or personal skills (i.e. people skills).

Today I had my integrity brought into question, my skill set challenged, and insulted on a personal level.

I have bent over backwards for this client. Putting upwards of 60+ hours a week, not sleeping and working 48 hours at a stretch all because their previous IT guy built them a network that is junk.

Today they canceled our contract. The manner in which they canceled it is BS.

F those guys. My company is finishing the last 2 months as per our contract, but with a different person as admin. The person who is replacing me in the interim was shocked and at first refused the role. But we have a rep to maintain and since I am his supervisor, is directed and will comply. It helps that we've been friends for 20 years but neither one of us is happy about this situation.

There's a lesson here kids - Never ignore your gut instincts. I knew we should have walked away months ago. But my ego led me to think that I could fix their network and get them to understand just what Enterprise IT is all about.

But as G'N'R said - Some men you just can't reach.

@Sector 11 - We're going to have postpone that conky thing. I'm busy getting my drunk on.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

brontosaurusrex · 2016-02-02 06:58:59

Things like that just happen, I've been canceled or I canceled them numerous times (usually not-enough money or stupidly short deadlines issues). The realization that one is not in existence to please others usually helps.

Last edited by brontosaurusrex (2016-02-02 09:12:12)

nobody0 · 2016-02-02 09:38:24

Temetka wrote:

I knew we should have walked away months ago. But my ego led me to think that I could fix their network and get them to understand...

Its always easy to think about what happened after the fact. Maybe, you should contemplate the Dhamma way.. Nothing is permanent...

g33zr · 2016-02-02 13:23:45

I once worked in advertising/PR. Clients were often fickled. You could be a hero in the morning and a bum in the afternoon. The best thing to do is move on and not dwell on the setback. As long as the plusses outnumber the minusses, you're okay.

glittersloth · 2016-02-02 15:03:09

Temetka wrote:

Some men you just can't reach.

The original quote was from the film Cool Hand Luke, fyi.... and yeah, fuck people. I've been saying that since I was a kid, but no one listens, and worse yet, people keep creating more people. They're like roaches, the lot of em!!

Temetka · 2016-02-02 17:00:55

Well it's morning time and I am off to work for clients who appreciate my efforts on their behalf.

I loved reading the supporting comments. You guys rock so hard, thank. Perfect way to start my day off.

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-02-02 17:24:26

Remember: it takes 42 muscles to frown but only 18 muscles to smile.

And only 4 muscles are needed to slap someone.

Temetka · 2016-02-02 20:27:29

Ha.

If I find the guy who I know is behind this - I will do nothing because I am an adult. Although in my mind, I've already kicked his ass a few times. Zen? No. Satisfying? Yes.

Horizon_Brave · 2016-02-03 00:42:06

Hey man, keep your chin up... Are you dead? Are you physically hurt by this? No mental illness? You sound like you have a good job, a good income, a roof over your head, security... Some people don't have any of this. Literally everyday they struggle how or if they'll get by. You lost a client, it sucks, but you have way way more to be thankful for. Life isn't over, far from it, it's just an opportunity for you to pick yourself back up. I wouldn't even consider this being "down". Instead of focusing on the negative and the bad, focus on what you've been doing right, and your achievements so far. As a hockey fan, I always like to give the wise words of "Keep your stick on the ice"

ohnonot · 2016-02-03 07:34:57

zen...
your anger is not permanent - embrace it while it lasts, then let it go.
the tender skin surrounding this a***hole is not permanent - kick it, it will grow back (well, phantasize about it at least)!

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-02-03 08:35:30

There is no such thing as a negative emotion, it is all potential vitality in need of transformation.

Anger is one the most powerful motivational forces our species has, use it positively.

pa$$word · 2016-02-03 14:49:56

The customer is always right

Horizon_Brave · 2016-02-03 16:19:41

pa$$word wrote:

The customer is always right

Boooo Hisss.

Having worked customer service early in my life, (jeez..it feels like eons ago) I always hated this idea!It always made me want to prove more so that the customer was wrong and should feel bad about his/her life

Last edited by Horizon_Brave (2016-02-03 16:20:34)

ohnonot · 2016-02-03 20:52:46

pa$$word wrote:

The customer is always right

some subtle trolling, that is.

pvsage · 2016-02-03 23:45:23

pa$$word wrote:

The customer is always right

I'm just going to leave this here.

Sector11 · 2016-02-04 02:25:25

OH MY! Just saw this ... Hope today is better for you T.

Don't worry, I'm in no rush, we'll get to it when we get to it.

KrunchTime · 2016-02-04 02:54:31

brontosaurusrex wrote:

The realization that one is not in existence to please others usually helps.

Boy, government IT consulting companies in the U.S. sure could use many with your viewpoint.

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

And only 4 muscles are needed to slap someone.

pvsage wrote:

I'm just going to leave this here.

Priceless!

Last edited by KrunchTime (2016-02-04 02:59:28)

pa$$word · 2016-02-04 04:30:51

Wasn't trolling (or lecturing). Just couldn't think of anything else to say. Hope you're feeling better now.

Hell is other people.

shot-in-the-head · 2016-02-05 12:24:46

I would just try and learn from the experience, maybe next time listen to you instincts, if you come across a possible new customer who your gut instinct tells you will be a pain in the ass, avoid at all costs!

nobody0 · 2016-02-05 13:48:17

Sometimes, its better to learn how to meditate. Trying to be calm without becoming calm won't work. It is just a wish, not the result.
Gut feelings don't always come true, also you might lose a very good client.

You cannot sell what you think good for others, but what the others think good for them. The idea is to make others feel what you want to sell to them is good for them, and make that feeling appear to come from them.

#1 2016-02-02 06:55:18

I lost a client today

#2 2016-02-02 06:58:59

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#3 2016-02-02 09:38:24

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#4 2016-02-02 13:23:45

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#5 2016-02-02 15:03:09

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#6 2016-02-02 17:00:55

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