I have the best clients in the world
I just wanted to share that.
My newest client is a Christian summer camp. Lemme tell ya, there’s nothing like working for a dot-org. They’re organized, they’re in general agreement before the meeting begins, and they pay the bill before it’s due.
I had to deliver the new web site for Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake today. I won’t be up and resolving to my server for a day or two yet, so you’ll still get the old web site at http://www.campwhitman.org/if you want to catch the “before” picture.
I’ve heard all the stories about difficulties delivering web sites to clients. Maybe you have too. You’ll not have heard a story like this:
On Thursday I phoned to work out the details on some last-minute copy changes and found that where I thought delivery was set for the next board meeting this coming Thurdsay, they thought delivery would be for today. I had a whole week’s worth of work yet to finish, and only three days to do it.
Okay, so far it sounds like one of the usual client miscommunication horror stories. Don’t worry. It gets better.
The reason they thought delivery was for today is because today was their annual open house and chicken barbeque, and I’d accepted their invitation to attend. Okay, easy to see where I missed the boat.
I rode out and back with a board member—a little more than an hour each way. On arrival, I hadn’t even set down my backpack yet when they started fitting me for a t-shirt. I changed in the men’s room and snuck back to the concession to buy a hat.
Then there was the good, old-fashioned church chicken barbeque. It was just outstanding. I’d forgotten how good chicken is when it’s not boneless, skinless. I made quick work of a half-chicken. Oh, and the rest of the meal was good too, but the chicken was a real treat.
I spent the next couple of hours chatting with staff, board members and ministers and watching families. I got more chatting in that I’d planned because I had to wait for my turn on the guided tour hayride of the 117 acre facility.
It was worth it because I rode with four families, two of which had kids returning to camp this year, one with a new camper and one family who were disappointed with the Girl Scout camp last year.
Our guide was a college-age girl beginning her fourth summer as a camp counselor. We all got off at the last stop, sending the tractor and our guide back to the main lodge while we spent time at the lakeshore.
After huffing back up the hill, it was time for the meeting. We took a large table at the front of the lodge with a sweeping panorama of the lake. They weren’t interested in seeing the web-site-in-a-pocket. They were already satisfied with the work I’d delivered to date and trusted the rest of the work would be of at least equal quality.
The discussion was so wide-ranging, it’s hard to say what the focus was, other than that they are happy with me as a contractor and I’m happy with them as clients. Negotiating final contract details for the next six months took five mintues. Their biggest concern? “Are you sure you’re happy with the rate you’ve quoted?” The unanimous vote of the seven took less time that it’s taking you to read the sentence about it.
I left with an invitation back to camp for lunch during the season (and transportation of course) and feeling truly appreciated for both my work and for who I am.
So let’s summarize:
- Ride in the country
- Addition to my wardrobe
- Yummy chicken
- Hayride on a sunny afternoon
- Walk along the shore
- Dynamite view from the meeting table
- Excited, happy, working meeting with excited, happy people
- Signed contract for six months, not just for the work for which I’d been hired
What’s not to like?
Say what you want about limos, power lunches and well-appointed board rooms at the dot-coms. I’ll take my dot-orgs without a second’s thought. Or a second thought.
And for that, I’m grateful.
