Burning bridges
1) The vitriol was palpable. The meetings weren't so bad but the follow-ups were degrading. The demands, the insults, the self-worth built from the scraps of torn down vendors. She terminated one contract early. Twenty-five years he had served that company and her pleasure was built around two months early exit via email. "I tried to call you and didn't want to do this in email. . ." she wrote to him in the message that was copied to everyone else. In a year and a half she changed it all without truly understanding any of it.
2) He enjoyed watching others squirm. He carried his power for all to see, brushing off the little people, laughing at requests for exceptions, telling jokes about it over afternoon golf games. "They" were all "idiots" who didn't bow down to him. He did things "his way" and to hell with you if that didn't work for you.
3) He wanted out. And a new job awaited. A raise, a better title, he didn't know much about the new company but it had to be better than this small town, rinky dink operation. There he would be appreciated. Surely the atmosphere would more supportive. They would see his true value. He could work flex hours and never have to talk to a customer. Lunches out in the big city with new co-workers. A new opportunity. Why give two weeks notice? He had no use for this place and spent the last week making sure that everyone knew it.
1) Then she needed a favor. A slightly different term in the deal that was important. He may have some relevant information IF he will provide it. Perhaps a nice email will persuade him to help?
2) Things didn't work out. Surely he had made enough contacts in 20 years. The resume was prepared and sent out to the contacts he had worked with during those great years. He didn't need a title, just good work. They would help.
3) Financing on the new project fell through and he was low man on the totem pole. It wasn't about his work quality; cuts had to be made. Fortunately not much time had passed and maybe - just maybe - he could get his old job back.
Regarding #1 from the vendor side...
I had a very steady client that was a major account for our company. We worked long and hard for them at hours of the days and days of the weeks. They knew they could call me at any time and they often did. I enjoyed their company, their projects, and the sweat we shared in getting those tough projects done. Always on time and always at their budget.
Then the market changed. They slowed down the number of projects in our niche and redirected the ones that they had to "cheaper" vendors.
For two years now not a single opportunity even though I know thru their agencies that they are doing the type of work we produce.
The owner of my company contacted the head of the purchasing/production department to reaffirm our commitment to them, reinforce our availability, and offer our creative services with a distinct effort to help them reduce their costs.
We got an email back from her - she told us she was well aware of what we did and was very thankful for what we've done. But - they were now providing these projects to other vendors and had forced down their pricing to the point where they were either not making much profit, or even losing money.
My comment? What was the point of "exterminating" your vendors? To get cheap prices? And when they start disappearing because they can't sustain their own companies at that price level, where would that client now turn to for the work?
And with fewer vendors available to do that work, what will then happen to the price structures the surviving vendors would offer?
And the quality and competence of design? Not even given a thought.
I understand the importance of getting smart in a market like this - but this just doesn't make long term sense...frustrating...
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Jeff - I'm sure these people have always existed. The economy has brought them out in spades. I would understand if there was a standard not being met by the vendor. But when the vendor isn't given a chance to retain the business, it makes not sense to me. They burn bridges as if they have wings.
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