Garden Design
I had a really relaxed weekend after a bit of an annoying week. You see; I have been trying to get some sample urls from a client for three weeks now, to see what kind of design they would prefer and to get an appointment with them to go there and discuss things. I never received a response from the person who was supposed to contact me until Tuesday night, last week when J. -her boss and friend of A. who's really eager to get things done- forwarded her email to me because she'd sent it to him instead of me.
So I read the email just after midnight when I was on my way to bed and noticed that she expected me to be in the office the next morning [I don't think so!]. Ever since, I have sent emails, have been on the phone every day and left messages to call me back. No reaction... Here I am thinking: I'm doing you a big favour -I am actually- and you can't find two minutes of your precious time to respond to my email or give me a call back? What on earth is your problem, do you want this deal or not?
In the meantime I'm getting more work in and I've about four websites to design so time is running out since this particular client needs to have it all done by the end of August. I've installed the software, played with it and I realised while checking it out that this is not going to be a simple job. Normally with this amount of work at least one developer and designer would be assigned and be given three or four months. I've been given less than two months, while other work needs to be done as well. See my point?...
To stay focused on the serious clients I arranged to meet up with K. over the weekend to get some input from him about what he would like. He's a landscape gardener/designer and he is extremely creative so after our brainstorming session I left having all these ideas and images in my head and I couldn't wait to get started. He showed me some amazing gardens that he did for these millionaire clients: owners of huge old Victorian houses with huge gardens in the West End and South End of London. Truly inspiring!
K. was extremely enthusiastic about having his website done and came up with really nice ideas. I took his portfolio with me so I can scan some of his drawings and I'll have to do some research later today to see if I can find some leaves and stone structures. I'll also have to redesign his business card once the website is done. K. was so enthusiastic that he had told a friend about it and this friend -who's in education- is really interested in having his website done as well. So... things are picking up!
After the meeting with K. I went over to C. to work in their garden. We've been cutting and trimming down a large bush to clear the path while enjoying the beautiful weather. Their garden is amazing but it's all growing wild now since they haven't done much maintenance. I helped cutting last year but they neglected it ever since while I offered my help so many times. I really love working in the garden, so I had a bit of a gardening theme going on all Saturday and a nice BBQ to end the day *hehe*
I was totally knackered when I came home, knackered but relaxed and Sunday... well... Sunday was just a typical Sunday...
P.S. C. made a really interesting remark, she said: 'those who are sincerely busy will always make time for you, those who are not busy at all need to pretend to appear to be busy thus won't make time for you...' I think she has an excellent point there!
Someone once told me that to better appreciate the enjoyable moments, they will most likely be balanced by the annoying ;-)
(or did I read that somewhere? perhaps I can't find the right words this morning?)
Anyway, with all the frustrations of late, I hope many pleasant moments come your way very soon. :-)
P.S. C. makes a strong point, one I've found to be true.
Jim: balance, yes... you're right and guess what... I received a phone call yesterday afternoon when I got home from my visit to Brick Lane... And I have an appointment tomorrow [Thursday] so we'll see what happens.
Gut feeling tells me she is not a nice person and she seems to have a hidden agenda to cause me problems. I don't expect much from her but if she continues to have this attitude then I will say 'no' to this project. I can't work with people like that, it would only cause me frustration and I could do without ;)
Pleasant moments: thank you! The garden design website is a really challenging and wonderful project and I'm really enjoying it! :)
About C.: yes she does have a good point, it made me think and I'm happy to hear you agree :)
"those who are sincerely busy will always make time for you, those who are not busy at all need to pretend to appear to be busy thus won't make time for you...' I think she has an excellent point there!"
I couldn't agree more!
Hopefully everything went all right with the appointment!
Wen: hello vriendin! C. has a good point doesn't she?
I've spoken with C. last night about the appointment. She was shocked to hear that I had to sit on the floor.. *yes...* Basically there was one chair available near her [=client] desk and she didn't offer the chair to me, she took it herself. If I was in her position I would've offered the guest the chair. I had to sit on the floor for an hour... It only confirmed my gut feeling that I already had about her. Later that day when I got home, I realised that there were actually eight more chairs available in the other room where we just had been sitting while going through my portfolio...
C. said to me that by making me sit on the floor, she was literally putting me in my place... A power thing. I don't like these games so I'm still thinking about what to do. If it's all worth the effort when I have to deal with an insecure and rude character like her [client]. There were more incidents that day [e.g. she forgot about our appointment] that told me she doesn't value me and what I offer. She seems to have this wall and a major character flaw. Nevertheless it's no excuse and I shouldn't be treated that way, it tells me she not a professional... Sad... yes...
I need more time to balance this out and make a decision... my pride and dignity on one hand and the option to show the world what my skills are on the other [I have to redesign their online shop and I really need showcases to get work in]. Could I be strong and ignore the humiliation or should I keep my dignity and say 'no'... C. told me she would refuse, someone else told me he would refuse... Me? I'm just not sure... it's a catch because I really really need showcases... :(
It is certainly a very difficult decision to make...I find it shocking, extremely rude! that she didn't offer you a chair! It is unbelievable! It shows that the client doesn't have scruples.
Yes, in one hand you need showcases but would you really enjoy working with this person? I mean...I don't know...I have always thought that nobody, nobody shouts at me or humiliates me, not even my parents...and I have never put up with despotic bosses for long...good luck with your decision. Let us know what you decided to do.
Wen: yes it is and I still haven't convinced myself 100% *hehe* I was supposed to get text and a CD in with pictures of products, the day after the meeting. I still haven't received anything... :p
She is playing the 'let me show you who you're dealing with' game *LOL* She really thinks she's all that but I can tell it's just surface, underneath lies a very insecure personality. I could crush that easily but I'm not one to do that unless someone becomes really nasty. So in the meantime I make her very aware of her mistakes: eg I can't design if I don't have their input so I'm waiting for them to ask me about progress so I can tell them there isn't any since I didn't receive a CD nor text... :p I have other websites to design so the longer they wait, the closer it gets to their deadline and that -in the end- will be their problem ;)
You have good values Wen and you're absolutely right but I don't feel like she has been invading mine yet although she came very close, the moment she does, she will know she did... trust me *hehe* I've been in the snake pit many times and I'm very aware of -especially female- poison but have been bitten so many times that I'm more or less immune these days ;)