Oh, why do I bother!
I’ve always been keen to refer businesses that I know personally and believe that they do a decent job to others who are looking for a specific service that they offer.
I don’t expect anything in return hopefully they will refer my services to someone in the future though :o)
This has worked well for the past couple of years, regularly referring clients and acquaintances to other clients and acquaintances and everything has gone along nicely…
…that is until this week.
Around three months ago one client (who we shall call client A) was looking for some online marketing services and had bemoaned the service he was getting from his existing provider so I mentioned that I knew someone (we’ll call him client B) who may be able to help and asked if he would like to be put in touch.
They were and they decided to work together.
First warning signs came at the end of January; client A moaning to me that client B wasn’t performing, would I have a word. I thought “why should I have a word – I’m not involved in this”.
But I was, wasn’t I? I had put the two of them together and so it if went wrong no doubt I would shoulder part of the blame – as unreasonable as I thought this was.
So I had a word and all seemed ok.
Then this week client A sacks client B, client B is asked to provide certain information for the handover and drags his feet a little over the way he was sacked without warning.
Guess who gets it in the neck – as a sounding board I might add rather than getting the blame – I think?
I then have to try and smooth things over and remain impartial.
So, lessons learned:
1. Don’t refer anyone to client A he can be very unreasonable – odd as I have a very good relationship with him.
2. Be careful who I refer client B to, although he is very good at what he does, he sometimes doesn’t respond as quickly as he should.
3. Make sure anyone I refer is a good match to the recipient of intended services.
Maybe I should be a matchmaker or an agony aunt instead?
All this to deal with and I’ve got a tooth infection as well!!
Roll on next week’s dental appointment :o(
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Replies (12)
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AKA...
when 'referrals' go wrong.....This is a reason I am reluctant to give referrals....as I end up getting the call to say 'A' hasn't called me as promised...can you call him....etc etc
Thanks (0)Don't let one bad apple spoil the lot
On reflection of your post, I would say that client A is an awkward [***] and is possibly also moaning about all his services from all his suppliers. I would perhaps favour client B on this issue.
My ultimate response is why change, just because of 1 bad issue, you have so many good experiences that makes this one insignificant.
Just a quick question, has client A gone down in client listings?
Thanks (0)Ratings
@Jekyll and Hyde - yes he has.
I get on very well with client B and he has done good work for other people I've referred him to. He does sometimes get bogged down with things but he knows that and is addressing it.
Client A's attitude is the real problem. I expect that he'll fall out with the new suppler in a few months.
Has made me think about referrals though and another reason why I left BNI (prior to my practice days) - the need to refer at any cost.
@justsotax - I'm usually a good judge and had never referred anyone to client A before.
I suppose this coming at a time when I have a constant pounding in my mouth has not helped.
Thanks (0)BNI....probably
the reason why I am hesitant....
Thanks (0)teeth
I am an amateur dentist (remember Uncle Buck?). From my extensive knowledge of the subject, I can advise you that the infection has to go before any dental work can be done.
Thanks (0)Had the same problem happen to me with an IT/SEO company who are very big clients of mine and have spectacularly failed to delivery what the client is paying a very substantial amount for. Luckily for me the client understands that it was their decision and bears no grudge to me for recommending the client to them.
Thanks (0)Teeth
@RL - Half way through the antibiotics and I could swear the pain is getting worse!!
I've got root canal treatment to look forward to next week - hurray!
@MIssA - those types of business seem to charge £500+ a month as standard. Mind you it does seem to involve a lot of smoke and mirrors.
@justsotax - every now and then I pop along to a networking breakfast and am almost instantly reminded of the reasons I left.
Thanks (0)Root canal
I had a root canal c4 years ago and the worst part (other than payment) was having to have my mouth open for so long. The actual drilling etc. is no different to a bog standard filling and I don't know why there is such a myth persisting that it's the worst thing ever because it isn't (though I wouldn't have believed that before I'd had it). Now if you were having teeth out... :)
Take along an ipod, lie back and enjoy being uncontactable for an hour or two....
Thanks (0)@ KA
I am a martyr to my teeth.
A tip, dentist probably told you, but you can alternate different groups of pain killers so you can take say paracetamol between ibuprofen so you don't get a dip in relief before you take yor next ibuprofen, and you can get stronger ones over the counter, which are around double the strength of the regular ones.
Thanks (0)Teeth#2
@Flash - I've had it twice before - first time done very badly after knocked my front teeth out playing football at Uni. Dentist was a proper bodger - pain was horrendous.
Second time didn't feel a thing.
@OGA - thanks for that tip, so I've been holding my head in my hands for the past hour for no reason!
So:
OGA for the pain relief
RL for the root canal treatment - don't use the same drill as Uncle Buck thought :(
Thanks (0)In the Film Layer Cake
I always remember Daniel Craigs character said that the key to success is to be a good middle man.
I live in an ex coal mining village in Co Durham and that is how everything works an I regularly put people together to share the wealth amongst each other so to speak.
In my last job I had some very good suppliers who I would always recommend to other people if they asked "do you know a good plumber" or whatever. This kept the relationships strong and if I needed something then the suppliers would go that extra mile.
You have faith in their ability before you could refer. I would never recommend someone unless I would use their services myself.
I know some guys who make a very good living out acting as middle men putting people wit good ideas wit people with money etc.
I have never had a situation like yours thankfully.
life is a funny thing, where you are forced to face the exam on a daily basis when the lesson follows afterwards.
what career were you thinking of changing to?
I have just made a bid to buy another business unrelated to accountancy.
Thanks (0)teeth #3
Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man.
Thanks (0)