Do's and dont's when working with friends

Filed in archive Consultancy on March 19, 2007

Working with friends can be fun, but you can find yourself in a snakepit if you're not careful. Here's what do do, and what not to do. For instance, you're a webhoster with technical knowledge, and your client wants you to build the entire corporate site. Are you going to look for a designer if you know one ?

• 
  Do
  
  


• Have them sign an agreement with a pricetag.


• No nasty suprises afterwards.
  


• Encourage them to show the best they can.


• You want top results. You won't get it by believing they will work hard.
  


• Make them present themselves to your client.


• Don't make the client rely on you and then get disappointed when the result is not what he or she expected.
  


• Require regular scheduled updates and meetings.


• Even if you have to go out to meet them - it's worth it.
  Don't
  
  


• Promise anything beyond the agreement you've signed.


• It's a bad thing to do and you're never sure you will be able to keep your promise.
  


• Talk about details they don't need to know.


• Whatever the client is paying you is of no concern to them.
  


• Say you trust them to to their job they think best.


• You're in charge. Keep it that way.
  


• Never let your emotions run this


• - This is business. Money is to be made. And you'd probably like the client to hire you again !