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What to do when your client starts saying WE too often?

by pinkknight
14 replies
It's not that I've some kind of a WE allergy, but I have every right to be a little bit suspicious.

This used to be a good news actually. When your client says WE this, WE that, you think, great, here's more job for me. More importantly, I have a chance for getting some long-term work. At the first glance, it really sounds great. But...

I had a few bitter experiences. It turned out that I was supposed to share my client's vision and enthusiasm, but in return, these clients weren't willing to share their money so easily as much as they shared the magic word WE.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't fall for this WE thing so easily, anymore. This WE thing was an extremely costly activity for me. It cost me a lot of my time, I should've asked more money in return. Now, I'm aware that there is a possibility for a happily ever after business ending. You get a new project or contract. You may even get close to a partnership. You find a client who actually puts money where his mouth is. For that rare kind of a client, the word WE is properly compensated and rewarded.

Lemme hear you. Are there more WE skeptics, just like me? Or, there are more positive experiences and successful business relationship that started with a simple WE for a change?
#client #starts
  • Profile picture of the author randibags
    In my experience "we" means, "Do all the work for me and maybe I'll pay you a little bit"

    I'm learning to set boundaries and when they don't hold up their end, I cut them off!

    I've also learned to ONLY do B2B and not ever "work" for anyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
    Just tell the client WE need to make more money and send him an invoice
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

      Just tell the client WE need to make more money and send him an invoice
      Ha ha ha, we work, we send you an invoice, we wanna get paid, lol. Thx
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  • Profile picture of the author Junaid khawaja
    When they call themselves "We", of course that means they are a big company...hmm big company means more capital..more profit..more employees...more mUney..

    So, ask them for more mUney instead? After all they are the big ones.

    Thanks
    Junaid
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by Junaid khawaja View Post

      When they call themselves "We", of course that means they are a big company...hmm big company means more capital..more profit..more employees...more mUney..

      So, ask them for more mUney instead? After all they are the big ones.

      Thanks
      Junaid
      True, but it's also true that you can feel pretty small in a big company, if you know what I mean. There are no guarantees that a big company will necessarily treat you the best possible way. So, I'm a little bit skeptical about the word WE coming from these big companies.
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  • Profile picture of the author PhamStatus
    All you have to do to avoid that infamous "WE" is when the word comes up and they are stating a new idea that they want you to do just say that you will have to bill them for more so they understand whether they want to proceed with that new "WE" idea. You are upfront and straight about it and are both going to be happy in the end getting what you want.
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by PhamStatus View Post

      All you have to do to avoid that infamous "WE" is when the word comes up and they are stating a new idea that they want you to do just say that you will have to bill them for more so they understand whether they want to proceed with that new "WE" idea. You are upfront and straight about it and are both going to be happy in the end getting what you want.
      It makes sense. There has to be a nice way to say, your WE thing isn't for me, let's stay at this level we're already working on. So, yes it's acceptable. Thx.
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    Here is a a quick fix for the problem , every time he/she says WE just say back I am glad you agree is saying yes BTW I din't know you spoke french!
    Watch the expression first it is priceless and they will stop using the term WE

    Jason
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  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    I don't get it. What is the big deal about WE. If they pay you what difference does it make if they say I, Me, We, Our, or any other word. If you are not getting paid, it is not because your client said WE it is because you are a poor business person

    al
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

      I don't get it. What is the big deal about WE. If they pay you what difference does it make if they say I, Me, We, Our, or any other word. If you are not getting paid, it is not because your client said WE it is because you are a poor business person

      al
      This WE thing is usually an "invitation" into something else, where I'm supposed to work more and get paid the same. That's the catch, at least in my case. As long as everything is OK, nobody cares about the pronouns, but I thought about this one as a warning sign. That's all. Thx.
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      • Profile picture of the author agmccall
        Originally Posted by pinkknight View Post

        This WE thing is usually an "invitation" into something else, where I'm supposed to work more and get paid the same. That's the catch, at least in my case.
        There is no catch. "Can WE do this" your answer "WE sure can and it will only cost YOU an extra $X.XX" or "WE sure can do that, I will have a quote for YOU shortly"

        So, again, what is this conversation about.

        al
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        "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

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  • Profile picture of the author aizaku
    like i said in the last thread

    define your boundaries and stick to them

    he or she will get the message sooner or later.

    it sounds like your client needs you more than u need your client...

    -Ike Paz
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    What to do when your client starts saying WE too often?
    You say, WTH are you, French?
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      You say, WTH are you, French?
      Wait a sec, OUI in French sounds like WE in English, lol. It took me a while to figure it out, lol. Thx.
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