Never commit if you're uncertain of your capacities to finish a work. At the same time, don't be too vague whenever your client asks you when can he expect your work.
When you contract out creative works, you should have an agreed timeline with the outsourced agency (maybe this could be included in your terms of reference). Of course, this timeline also guides you in preparing other stuff that would go with your creative (e.g. write-ups, etc.). If your outsourced agency is not able to deliver the work on time, everything's messed up.
I've experience how it is to deal with agreed deadlines with clients. Usually, the failure to deliver on time (on our part as the agency) had something to do with the client's slow turnover of comments and their fickle-mindedness. But of course, there were also some instances that we failed to beat the deadline as work piledup (finishing projects with other clients).
Now that I'm wearing the client's shoes (although I wear the outsourced shoes from time-to-time for my rackets), I try the best to provide the necessary materials that the agency needs to be able to execute the project. That's why it's really irritating if they aren't able to deliver on time. And it's even more irritating if they give you vague answer.
Day 1.
Agency Rep: You can view the video on Friday.
Day 2.
Me: So are we going to view the video (raw) through premiere (meaning video has not be rendered yet; easier to incorporate inputs)?
Agency Rep: Susubukan ko pong matapos sa friday.
Me: Ha, ang alin? (confused as the information about the viewing was just received the other day)
Agency Rep: Iyong video po.
There was a sudden change after I asked the format of the video.
Me: Can yo instead go to our office for the viewing?
Agency Rep: Susubukan po naming matapos.
Me: I need to know tomorrow if we can view the video on the agreed deadline.
Agency Rep: Sige po I'll let you know.
Day 3 (no text, or call)
Me: Any updates? I've sent you an email (trying not to be a B)
After 3 hours
Agency Rep:We're sorry but we encountered some technical problems. We guarantee that you can view the video on Wednesday.
Yeah right. Technical problems. Just the other day you said you will TRY TO FINISH the work by Friday. Then suddenly, you encountered technical difficulites. It's hard to believe that the excuse is totally true just considering the fact that he was 'vague' about finishing the project on time.
So here I am trying to understand why we have to wait for another 5 days because of some technical problems. Been there. Done that. It's an overused excuse.
ADDENDUM:
I think, regardless how good your output is, your inability to deliver on time might make your client consider another agency for next projects.
When you contract out creative works, you should have an agreed timeline with the outsourced agency (maybe this could be included in your terms of reference). Of course, this timeline also guides you in preparing other stuff that would go with your creative (e.g. write-ups, etc.). If your outsourced agency is not able to deliver the work on time, everything's messed up.
I've experience how it is to deal with agreed deadlines with clients. Usually, the failure to deliver on time (on our part as the agency) had something to do with the client's slow turnover of comments and their fickle-mindedness. But of course, there were also some instances that we failed to beat the deadline as work piledup (finishing projects with other clients).
Now that I'm wearing the client's shoes (although I wear the outsourced shoes from time-to-time for my rackets), I try the best to provide the necessary materials that the agency needs to be able to execute the project. That's why it's really irritating if they aren't able to deliver on time. And it's even more irritating if they give you vague answer.
Day 1.
Agency Rep: You can view the video on Friday.
Day 2.
Me: So are we going to view the video (raw) through premiere (meaning video has not be rendered yet; easier to incorporate inputs)?
Agency Rep: Susubukan ko pong matapos sa friday.
Me: Ha, ang alin? (confused as the information about the viewing was just received the other day)
Agency Rep: Iyong video po.
There was a sudden change after I asked the format of the video.
Me: Can yo instead go to our office for the viewing?
Agency Rep: Susubukan po naming matapos.
Me: I need to know tomorrow if we can view the video on the agreed deadline.
Agency Rep: Sige po I'll let you know.
Day 3 (no text, or call)
Me: Any updates? I've sent you an email (trying not to be a B)
After 3 hours
Agency Rep:We're sorry but we encountered some technical problems. We guarantee that you can view the video on Wednesday.
Yeah right. Technical problems. Just the other day you said you will TRY TO FINISH the work by Friday. Then suddenly, you encountered technical difficulites. It's hard to believe that the excuse is totally true just considering the fact that he was 'vague' about finishing the project on time.
So here I am trying to understand why we have to wait for another 5 days because of some technical problems. Been there. Done that. It's an overused excuse.
ADDENDUM:
I think, regardless how good your output is, your inability to deliver on time might make your client consider another agency for next projects.
3 comments:
To be fair, technical difficulties are possible. Plus Murphy's Law tends to catch up on you when you're in a hurry.
My policy regarding this has always been to underpromise and overdeliver. If I were your agency I'd tell you I'd have it done in twice the time it'll actually take me.
Your best bet would be to have a timetable-based contract with corresponding penalties for late delivery of requirements. At the very least, you'll be able to save money.
The other thing you have to find out is if the agency rep actually knows what he/she is talking about. Naiintindihan ba niya kung ano nga yung technical difficulties na sinasabi ng tao niya?
I hate A/Es who don't have a clue about their process.
Yes possible naman talaga. It's just that he gave me a vague answer (kung matataposn niya o hindi) a day before he told me of the technical difficulties. It was easy for me to conclude that he was just making an alibi. Hindi dumiskarte.
Re: Agency Rep
I think he's also part of the designers/editors so he should know what technical difficulties he was referring to. Sinubukan ko nga ring hulihin kung nagsasabi ng totoo. Subtle question lang. I asked kung iyong materials namin ang nag cause ng technical difficulties na ito (e.g. audio recording, the video). Naghihintay ako ng sagot na may mention kung ano talaga iyong problema. Pero wala.
Post a Comment