gordon... as always making business a pleasure

I was reading an article [click here to read it] written by my good friend Gordon Murray, developer of online creative company Murrion Software, based in Cork. Read it. It’s a great piece. Anyhow, it got me thinking….

In the context of one losing a client…. Some say it’s just business, forget about it, move on and to the next one.

But….

I truly love what is that I do and maybe ‘they’ are right – or to an extent. Maybe [?] I and some take it too personal. Maybe, one should treat each ‘contract’ as just another ‘job’. But I guess, put simply, that [again, to an extent] it’s just not the genetic make up, of some, depending. Should one worry, care or bother and does it ‘really’ matter?

Personally, I don’t like fall outs, of any kind. I hate ‘finding out’ that someone fell out with me. Maybe it’s because I was reared as one of eight children? I think it was just the way it was in the house. Problems were aired and ‘sorted’ mono é mono. On the spot. There and then. Solved and swiftly move on. Is there a problem? No. Done. Is there an issue? yes. Discuss it. Solve it. And get on with the more important things in life.

To my work, I understand there is a line. I try to speak or/ and meet regular enough with clients just to make sure I’m doing good by them. I try not to treat ‘clients’ like ‘just another customer’ but something friendlier I suppose. People. It makes life easier nee less complex.

I realise that the creation of ‘their’ garden is a lot more than just plants. It can be understandably, a nervous time for some, especially if it is the first time. I suppose I am also there to put their minds at rest, to dispell any doubts that may linger and to eliminate that nervousness. It is essentially the relationship that will make the process run smoothly – for both parties.

could it be any simpler...?

I have had clients in the past that refused to pay their bills. It happens. It doesn’t make me happy. But it does happen and to us all. I try to find if there was a problem. If it can be resolved there and then. After nine years in business I realise sometimes people just don’t want to pay after the job is done and there is sometimes nothing I can do about it. But when payment is not the issue what does one do?

The possible alternate … just sometimes is that people can be just rude as well. That can of course increase all the way to 10 on the ‘not nice scale’. It is here I may chose not to work with [or for] them anymore.

Where money is concerned, I’ve heard people describe that as shrued business… Not paying the bill, when one is happy with the service/ product…. shrued?

Situations, differences and problems do occur in any relationship. Thats is life. But it is also how one deals with these ‘situations’. I always say a problem should not exist unless one decides not to deal with it. I try to. I keep a customer problem log. Sounds stupid? It’s actually a part of The Quality Programme -  It doesn’t matter how insignificant it may be. It’s noted.

I guess, in some cases the client should simply remain the client. I also guess in some cases where that is not the case – one can try, only to an extent, to ensure the relationship remains ‘positive’. But sometimes I guess people simply go and come throughout life. That bit one may never fully understand and assuming one gives a hoot – it is ok to ponder. Maybe it is simply because of the gardens I have created… who knows?

At the end of the day I know I love my life and I don’t treat my work as ‘work’ in the laborious task sense. I really do love what I do. And for all of the years in college studying horticulture and getting dirt under my nails…. I get to make others and equally as important myself – smile.

clients, friend and relationships…… what do you think… ?