I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Blogging about Mistakes « Mark Gilbert’s Blog

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re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Ofer — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:31:33 GMT

I read this post not long after it was first published and it caught my eye. Not many people will admit to their mistakes, especially in such a public and revealing manner.

In a field where reputation is very important I am wondering what long-term effect this had.

How did it effect your relationship with your clients? Do you still think it was a good idea?

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Glenn — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 03:55:42 GMT

Although it was difficult to turn them down at the eleventh hour, you saved your client alot more hardship than had you proceeded at the project flopped. Whether or not your client interpereted that you led them on, I think you made the right decision. It's easy in the face of a large amt of cash to just follow along, not so easy to put the breaks on.

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Leo — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 23:21:58 GMT

Hey Roy,

You are a great & smart guy, and the post was surreal.

Also, you played the guitar very well in the developer conference in Spain (I think). I heard it on .NET Rocks.

But, Roy, remember this:

What is the difference between a smart and a dumb person?

The dumb person learns from his own mistakes, and the smart person learns from the mistakes of others.

בהצלחה!!!

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Ido Samuelson — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 05:59:23 GMT

You make a mistake, you learn, you make the same mistake again, you are stupid. Better keep with the learning :-)

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Dave Donaldson — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:54:29 GMT

Having been an independent consultant for over 2 years now, knowing when to say "no" has been, without a doubt, the single best thing I've learned. Once you know how and when to say no, you and your clients will be much better off.

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Paul Gielens — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:18:13 GMT

Congrats and kudos for sharing your experience.

I’ve been in very similar situations. Your customer already gave some of the answer by asking “Can you please explain what you wrote?”. You confronted him with something that’s totally out of his control. How would your customer have felt in case you wouldn’t be able to continue this deal due to unforeseen personal circumstances? Would he feel the same way? Perhaps you should try to solve this issue with your customer by asking the right questions to find “the real” problem.

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Roger Pence — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:12:44 GMT

Roy--This is a great post. Your points about "saying nothing" and somethings you have to say "no" really hit home for me.

It's easy being a nerd and seeing all things through the black and white view of algorithms. Your post will help remind me that all things, not just the algorithms, need to work!

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Karen — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:50:56 GMT

Your ownership of the problem says alot for your integrity! well done :-) from mistakes great things will grow

re: I screwed up with a client. Here's what I've learned.

Bil Simser — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:22:13 GMT

Roy, first off congrats on the baby (ours is due in June). I know the horrors of overcommitting and watching the calander sift away, feeling like you've accomplished nothing. I think it's good you posted it here as we're all human and prone to mistakes. We learn from our mistakes and think twice next time the same situation arises. I think you handled it well and hopefully trust and communication with the client will grow back again (it'll take time).