January 4, 2012 at 20:35Customer and freelancer. Interaction. Part 2
In the first part, I tried to give an understanding on how to choose a customer / contractor for the project. Naturally, in one article there is no way to list everything that you have to deal with, but I tried to describe the basics.
As correctly noted in the comments, such important points as interaction during the project and payment for work are not described. We will make the payment in a separate post, and now I would like to talk about how to conduct the project. Again, not being the ultimate truth, I am not saying that do it this way and not otherwise. It’s just that this experience was made on the basis of errors, and in my case, these rules help to live.
Well, from words to deeds
This time I will not write separately for the customer and freelancer, because most of the points are true for both sides. If something will concern only one side, I will try to highlight it separately.
So, we get to work. At this stage, there are two important points that I try not to neglect. The first is to let the customer understand / understand for himself that the freelancer is not an employee in the office. Although the customer pays the contractor money and the contractor does the work, treating a freelancer like an employee on a salary is stupid. By this thesis, I mean the relationship "I am the boss - you are a subordinate." If you are a customer, forget this wording for the time being. If the freelancer - having seen this in the first stages of the project - end the relationship. You have your task to make it clear to the client that you are not his property, you have safely requested ... whether the project will in any case be unprofitable - both by nerves and by means.
The good question is how do you make it clear that you are a professional who has been referred to as a companion, and not as a dumb drawing / writing? It is difficult to explain, comes with experience, but there are several rules. By the way, these rules also apply to customers, because if the contractor decides that “well, what will I do for you”, this will lead to the option “order from a relative”, which, as practice shows, does not lead to anything good . So:
The second thing you should pay attention to is TK. In any form. Whether it is a text description or sketches or a prototype - it is important, unless you write a simple calculator (by calculator I do not mean the calculator for the site, but the one that Start - Standard ...). As practice shows - “here I’ll tell you how it should be, what the hell for us extra work” - almost a verdict to the project. Having such a description of the task, the chance of successful completion is 10-20%. Do not be lazy to ask for TK, do not be lazy to write TK, and if you as a freelancer refuse to provide it, offer to do it yourself. If TK turns into something that they run from like a plague - without regret, part with such a project.
As for the contract for the performance of work, then it is exclusively for your consideration. Someone needs him, someone just needs a word. Do not be alarmed if the customer asks for a contract - this is normal. The only point is if the contract is signed, carefully read its contents. If something is not clear - contact a lawyer. You can plunge into it for two times, think about it - do you need it? The contract should be as transparent and understandable as possible. Ideally will have its own template.
If during work you have any doubts about getting in touch, then immediately stock up on alternative communication methods. Mail, better phone. Send SMS, and ask under any plausible excuse to say its contents or the last digits of the number. Think of an excuse yourself.
If during the work the performer disappeared for an indefinite time, then it is worth seeing what kind of project. If the work is small, and the deadlines are not tight - feel free to look for a new one. I was always touched by excuses like “the Internet is over” and others like them. If a person is professionally engaged in freelance, then he has duplicate means of communication. For example, besides home Internet, for example, I have an Internet telephone (those who don’t have one now), modems from a skylink and MTS. In extreme cases, in order to clear conscience, you can try to hook a person through all available means of communication. Freelance website, mail, ICQ, skype and phone. Having cleared your conscience, go to another artist.
A good way to awaken from hibernation of a freelancer is a negative review. It helps, but the guarantee is 30 percent.
As for the customer, then everything is somewhat more complicated in terms of the fact that the work is being done, and you are losing money. Therefore, it is worth immediately discussing with the customer that in the event of his loss of work will be suspended at the discretion of the contractor. A good help is a phased payment - adding inconvenience in terms of more iterations of acceptance / delivery, allows you not to lose a lot of money.
So we usually call the moments when the customer suddenly breaks into something that is not included in the statement of work, but which is certainly necessary and important. Representing two sides at the same time, I took the following rule for myself:
If there is no debate with the customer / contractor, then the implementation of such work is possible only if they are insignificant compared to the rest of the work.
In the event that friction occurs with the customer during operation, then the finishing work must be refused flatly. But even if you do the work for thanks - focus on this. Those. agreeing to make some improvements as part of the payment, do not be lazy to clarify that since the improvements are insignificant, you agree to fulfill them as a “gift from the company”. Anyone, even the most wonderful customer, can instantly become the most worthless if you miss this moment.
In addition, I believe that before starting work it is worth discussing that we carry out work within the framework of the ToR. Discrepancy with the task is unacceptable at no extra charge. Let this be understood as accurately as possible, and if you suddenly suspect that this condition is accepted with a creak - this is another reason to think.
If you decide not to do the work that you are forced to do for free, stand your ground to the last. Naturally, in this case, your conscience should be clear - if there are schools on the project, then the implementation of unrequited work is a way to improve relations.
As correctly noted in the comments, such important points as interaction during the project and payment for work are not described. We will make the payment in a separate post, and now I would like to talk about how to conduct the project. Again, not being the ultimate truth, I am not saying that do it this way and not otherwise. It’s just that this experience was made on the basis of errors, and in my case, these rules help to live.
Well, from words to deeds
Foreword
This time I will not write separately for the customer and freelancer, because most of the points are true for both sides. If something will concern only one side, I will try to highlight it separately.
Getting started
So, we get to work. At this stage, there are two important points that I try not to neglect. The first is to let the customer understand / understand for himself that the freelancer is not an employee in the office. Although the customer pays the contractor money and the contractor does the work, treating a freelancer like an employee on a salary is stupid. By this thesis, I mean the relationship "I am the boss - you are a subordinate." If you are a customer, forget this wording for the time being. If the freelancer - having seen this in the first stages of the project - end the relationship. You have your task to make it clear to the client that you are not his property, you have safely requested ... whether the project will in any case be unprofitable - both by nerves and by means.
The good question is how do you make it clear that you are a professional who has been referred to as a companion, and not as a dumb drawing / writing? It is difficult to explain, comes with experience, but there are several rules. By the way, these rules also apply to customers, because if the contractor decides that “well, what will I do for you”, this will lead to the option “order from a relative”, which, as practice shows, does not lead to anything good . So:
- avoid using crony revolutions
- try to communicate politely, but within the framework of the case. Do not drag each other for the sake of “just talking”
- use special terms, but be prepared to explain them in an accessible and understandable way
The second thing you should pay attention to is TK. In any form. Whether it is a text description or sketches or a prototype - it is important, unless you write a simple calculator (by calculator I do not mean the calculator for the site, but the one that Start - Standard ...). As practice shows - “here I’ll tell you how it should be, what the hell for us extra work” - almost a verdict to the project. Having such a description of the task, the chance of successful completion is 10-20%. Do not be lazy to ask for TK, do not be lazy to write TK, and if you as a freelancer refuse to provide it, offer to do it yourself. If TK turns into something that they run from like a plague - without regret, part with such a project.
As for the contract for the performance of work, then it is exclusively for your consideration. Someone needs him, someone just needs a word. Do not be alarmed if the customer asks for a contract - this is normal. The only point is if the contract is signed, carefully read its contents. If something is not clear - contact a lawyer. You can plunge into it for two times, think about it - do you need it? The contract should be as transparent and understandable as possible. Ideally will have its own template.
During work
If during work you have any doubts about getting in touch, then immediately stock up on alternative communication methods. Mail, better phone. Send SMS, and ask under any plausible excuse to say its contents or the last digits of the number. Think of an excuse yourself.
If during the work the performer disappeared for an indefinite time, then it is worth seeing what kind of project. If the work is small, and the deadlines are not tight - feel free to look for a new one. I was always touched by excuses like “the Internet is over” and others like them. If a person is professionally engaged in freelance, then he has duplicate means of communication. For example, besides home Internet, for example, I have an Internet telephone (those who don’t have one now), modems from a skylink and MTS. In extreme cases, in order to clear conscience, you can try to hook a person through all available means of communication. Freelance website, mail, ICQ, skype and phone. Having cleared your conscience, go to another artist.
A good way to awaken from hibernation of a freelancer is a negative review. It helps, but the guarantee is 30 percent.
As for the customer, then everything is somewhat more complicated in terms of the fact that the work is being done, and you are losing money. Therefore, it is worth immediately discussing with the customer that in the event of his loss of work will be suspended at the discretion of the contractor. A good help is a phased payment - adding inconvenience in terms of more iterations of acceptance / delivery, allows you not to lose a lot of money.
Osenism
So we usually call the moments when the customer suddenly breaks into something that is not included in the statement of work, but which is certainly necessary and important. Representing two sides at the same time, I took the following rule for myself:
If there is no debate with the customer / contractor, then the implementation of such work is possible only if they are insignificant compared to the rest of the work.
In the event that friction occurs with the customer during operation, then the finishing work must be refused flatly. But even if you do the work for thanks - focus on this. Those. agreeing to make some improvements as part of the payment, do not be lazy to clarify that since the improvements are insignificant, you agree to fulfill them as a “gift from the company”. Anyone, even the most wonderful customer, can instantly become the most worthless if you miss this moment.
In addition, I believe that before starting work it is worth discussing that we carry out work within the framework of the ToR. Discrepancy with the task is unacceptable at no extra charge. Let this be understood as accurately as possible, and if you suddenly suspect that this condition is accepted with a creak - this is another reason to think.
If you decide not to do the work that you are forced to do for free, stand your ground to the last. Naturally, in this case, your conscience should be clear - if there are schools on the project, then the implementation of unrequited work is a way to improve relations.