Having a bad outsourced professional service partner is like having a bad significant other. They won’t cooperate, they’re not responsive and they just aren’t interested in who you are.
Any of the following constitute a bad boyfriend, and just so happen to also apply to the world of outsourced professional services. For some people, sadly, this may be what not to do on a date: 101, but for everyone else, what seems to be common sense in the world of love applies equally to the world of professional services.
Not Responsive- How can you truly believe that someone is interested if they can’t be bothered to return your calls, emails, texts, smoke signals or…whatever in a timely fashion? I will preach until the day I die that unresponsive people, services or businesses are doomed to failure and should be a red flag against any further pursuits.
Chances are you’re not going to be the biggest fish, but that doesn’t make you any less important. In relationship speak, you should be the only fish in the pond and there is no good reason for a lack of timely response.
Inattentive- Taking calls during a fancy dinner screams, “I have better, more important things to do than to spend time with you.” Let’s face it, there are times when it’s an unavoidable necessity, but more often than not, it’s just plain rude.
Revert back to the small fish analogy- by inadvertently telling someone (client or otherwise) that you have bigger fish to fry and they are not a priority, it’s like telling them not to expect quality service or results.
Not proactive- We all cringe at the word maintenance but try as we might, it’s unavoidable. Everything needs a little tune-up once and a while, and what better way to avoid the dreaded ‘we need to talk’ speech than by being proactive. Seriously, people aren’t that hard to please. They’re inspired to continue their dealings with you based on tangible results.
Maybe you can talk your way out of any argument, but without a thoughtful idea here and there, a relationship won’t flourish. From the business side, reports can say a whole lot of nothing without the help new and proactive plans.
They don’t ‘get you’- Branding is essential and we all [should] have it. Our personal brand should be our mantra- it’s the life you live, the beliefs you embody and the reason someone loves or hates you. If a significant other can’t understand who you are, what you stand for and compliment you appropriately, it’s time to move on.
Very simple idea, but most important and most overlooked. What are the people who are selling your brand to the media saying about you?
Overpriced- Let’s face it. Commitments can get expensive. While it theoretically should be considered an investment, there are people out there who just want to take your money.
Typically I’ll agree that high prices correlate with a brand’s perceived value, but more often than not, it seems the higher the company rates, the less dazzling the results.
SEO scams, horrifically overpriced websites and ridiculous overhead can quickly become money pits for clients. While I’m not endorsing bargain basement discount companies by any means, the other end of the spectrum might not be the best for growth either…unless you happen to be an established megabrand with millions to blow [in which case, you’re probably not reading this anyway.]
So, at the risk of sounding like a man hating cynic, I’m releasing this advice into the world in hopes that someone can sit back and say, “you know, you’re right, this [business] partnership is not benefitting me like it should. It’s time to find somebody who’s looking out for my best interest.”
Oh, and P.S. Happy 200th post to me :)
Thankfully, we were able to put aside our differences and enjoy the friendly rivalry!