I have a meeting on Thursday

[Bexy84]

With my first "Potential Business Client"!

A friend of mine works there and put my name forward for a job a few months back. They were quoted silly money for the installation of 3 IWB's and I had everything up and running within a few hours and the boss was over the moon with my work (and price!).

They rang me earlier today to ask if i could come in for a meeting with them They have a contract with another company that runs out in September and are looking for a replacement company to take over the IT side of things as they have been "Useless".

So...first impressions. I’m the sort of laid back type of tech, not all suited and booted, but not a complete mess. I have a basic uniform with a proper company badge as I’m trying to create my own business image. Is this what i should be aiming for or should i be dressed to impress?

Iv been in the IT trade for 11 year now and am pretty confident in anything i come across IT wise. I’m still at my current job until things take off with the business and am a bit unsure if i can juggle the 2. Now with this potential client, i need to be on hand 24/7. Do i mention that I’m still in a 9-5 job and that i will only be available around these hours or will that put the final nail in my coffin? I have 3 different business level agreement written up that I’m happy with and in them i have a 24 hour workstation response time (and shorter hours the higher their chosen agreement). I could install some remote software which i can access from my 9-5 job which could take the burden off me. How would you guys approach this?

I have done a lot of jobs for the home user and am confident going to a strangers house to take a look at their tech problem, but for some reason i feel a bit nervous going to a business This could lead onto big things for me and would just like to get other people’s views on the situation.
Any advice is truly appreciated.

 

[cmonova]

First, congrats on the opportunity that is great.

Seeing that the boss has already seen you do work and was impressed I would not be overly concerned with the "looks" when I go in for the meeting.
Dress appropriately and you will be fine. Obviously they saw your work and it was enough to get you the invite.

Concern is with the comment of not sure if you can juggle the 2 jobs. That is something you need to think long and hard about before you go
accepting a job like this. It's not one that a month later you can just drop without looking foolish for taking it in the first place.

I would tell them about the contracts and go with the "24" but usually "8" hour response time etc before telling them about the full time
job. Might want to throw out there that you are currently looking for a tech to help out in case emergencys come up or something to that
effect. Being able to follow up with having the capability of connecting remotely might downplay the job deal.

No reason to be nervous, like you said 11 years in the industry and IT is not an issue. You sound like you have a plan together now it's
just time to implement it.

 

[MrUnknown]

Congratulations!

So...first impressions. I’m the sort of laid back type of tech, not all suited and booted, but not a complete mess. I have a basic uniform with a proper company badge as I’m trying to create my own business image. Is this what i should be aiming for or should i be dressed to impress?

You should, at the very least, dress business casual. A nice polo and kahkis.

Do i mention that I’m still in a 9-5 job and that i will only be available around these hours or will that put the final nail in my coffin?

The business needs to know what times that they can count on you. If you aren't available during the day, charge accordingly. You certainly can't charge 24/7 rates when you aren't available those times. Their server is down at 8:45am, you *can't* show up at 6pm, unless they expect this beforehand and understand what they are paying for. Maybe specifically spell out that you do not offer any emergency hours or rate during the hours you normally work. Be honest. If you start your relationship with lying to them, well that's not a very good start now is it?

As a side note, make it VERY clear in your contract what they can expect from you, and more importantly, what you expect from them. Make it VERY CLEAR that things that are not specifically covered in the contract are not covered.

I could install some remote software which i can access from my 9-5 job which could take the burden off me. How would you guys approach this?

So you have an employee you are paying X/hr and while doing so, he is earning X/hr working for someone else and not doing his requirements to be your employee. If you get caught and this is not supported by your current employer, expect to be fired (quite honestly, as you should be).

I have done a lot of jobs for the home user and am confident going to a strangers house to take a look at their tech problem, but for some reason i feel a bit nervous going to a business This could lead onto big things for me and would just like to get other people’s views on the situation.

Confidence comes with experience in doing it. I still get nervous going into a client's home, but nowhere as much as when I first started. The difference is, and don't take this too seriously, but if you mess things up you can cost a business a lot of money and possibly put it out of business. The odds of that are low if you are a competent tech, but the risk is there and the liability is much higher.

I would recommend downloading the latest Podnutz episode and give it a listen. Steve talks to a man who does business accounts and gives quite a few pointers in a rather long episode. Even stating what sort of questions you need to ask, etc.. It won't answer all your questions, but it will get you prepared some more as it seems to be geared toward the first initial meeting and finding out about their network and what problems they are having.

Hope any of this helps.

 

[Bexy84]

First, congrats on the opportunity that is great.

Seeing that the boss has already seen you do work and was impressed I would not be overly concerned with the "looks" when I go in for the meeting.
Dress appropriately and you will be fine. Obviously they saw your work and it was enough to get you the invite.

Concern is with the comment of not sure if you can juggle the 2 jobs. That is something you need to think long and hard about before you go
accepting a job like this. It's not one that a month later you can just drop without looking foolish for taking it in the first place.

I would tell them about the contracts and go with the "24" but usually "8" hour response time etc before telling them about the full time
job. Might want to throw out there that you are currently looking for a tech to help out in case emergencys come up or something to that
effect. Being able to follow up with having the capability of connecting remotely might downplay the job deal.

No reason to be nervous, like you said 11 years in the industry and IT is not an issue. You sound like you have a plan together now it's
just time to implement it.

Thanks for the reply.

I dont think they want me to start untill September but by this time i think i will have cut my hours in my 9-5 job. If somthing does go wrong at the clients site, in my services i will have a set response time and im pretty certain that i can meet the call out time whilst still covering my 9-5 job's hours.

Im pretty lucky that i work in a school and have another tech onsite with me that can cover things if i am called away. The boss's here know that im trying to build my business and have sofar backed me all the way, aslong as i dont take the Micky!

 

[Bexy84]

Congratulations!



You should, at the very least, dress business casual. A nice polo and kahkis.

Thats exactly what i will be wearing!

The business needs to know what times that they can count on you. If you aren't available during the day, charge accordingly. You certainly can't charge 24/7 rates when you aren't available those times. Their server is down at 8:45am, you *can't* show up at 6pm, unless they expect this beforehand and understand what they are paying for. Maybe specifically spell out that you do not offer any emergency hours or rate during the hours you normally work. Be honest. If you start your relationship with lying to them, well that's not a very good start now is it?

Thanks, they will know what they're getting from my service plans but il explain to them that im just starting up and still have to commit to 9-5 hours. If they want me to start in September i can guarentee that i can meet the call out limit as i will have cut my hours in my 9-5 job.

As a side note, make it VERY clear in your contract what they can expect from you, and more importantly, what you expect from them. Make it VERY CLEAR that things that are not specifically covered in the contract are not covered.

Again, everything i offer is in the service plans, 3 different levels of service offering more services the higher the level agreement

So you have an employee you are paying X/hr and while doing so, he is earning X/hr working for someone else and not doing his requirements to be your employee. If you get caught and this is not supported by your current employer, expect to be fired (quite honestly, as you should be).

Im pretty lucky that i have so much time available to me in my own office (this is one of the main reasons for starting the business in the first place as i cant go any further up the ladder in my current employment, but thats another story!) So i am confident i can respond to helpdesk/ticket from this new business client whilst still working in my 9-5. Obviously not ideal but untill i can cut my hours i have no other option

Confidence comes with experience in doing it. I still get nervous going into a client's home, but nowhere as much as when I first started. The difference is, and don't take this too seriously, but if you mess things up you can cost a business a lot of money and possibly put it out of business. The odds of that are low if you are a competent tech, but the risk is there and the liability is much higher.

My mate who works there should be in on the meeting and he could take the edge off it. Its not the end of the world if i dont secure the job as it will give me abit more of an insight to what i should expect from these sort of meeting. Its all a learning curve.

I would recommend downloading the latest Podnutz episode and give it a listen. Steve talks to a man who does business accounts and gives quite a few pointers in a rather long episode. Even stating what sort of questions you need to ask, etc.. It won't answer all your questions, but it will get you prepared some more as it seems to be geared toward the first initial meeting and finding out about their network and what problems they are having.

Iv just downloaded it and will give it a listen over a brew, cheers

Hope any of this helps.

Thanks alot mate, it really is appreciated

 

[Bexy84]

On a side note are there any questions anyone can recommend i ask the customer?

i.e.

* Their IT future development plans - this could lead onto future sales

 

[kagman]

Have some business cards with you at all times. Always nice to tell someone "Here take my card and if you every have a computer problem or need help don't hesitate to call me."

 

[Bexy84]

Have some business cards with you at all times. Always nice to tell someone "Here take my card and if you every have a computer problem or need help don't hesitate to call me."

Yeah, il have my filofax with me and i have plenty in there. I think it add's to the professional look.

Cheers

 

[kagman]

On a side note are there any questions anyone can recommend i ask the customer?

i.e.

* Their IT future development plans - this could lead onto future sales

Ask them why they are unhappy with the current I.T. provider.

 

[MasterTech99]

Sounds like a great opportunity, congrats.

Be aware that a few months in you will become the "useless" IT guy and don't take it personally. Most businesses hate IT and wish it would go away. The second that they ask for something impossible that you cannot provide then the honeymoon will be over. It's all part of the job. Being an independent contractor puts you in a great position. Things are more equal than if you were directly on the payroll.

 

[Bexy84]

Sounds like a great opportunity, congrats.

Be aware that a few months in you will become the "useless" IT guy and don't take it personally. Most businesses hate IT and wish it would go away. The second that they ask for something impossible that you cannot provide then the honeymoon will be over. It's all part of the job. Being an independent contractor puts you in a great position. Things are more equal than if you were directly on the payroll.

Yeah, iv been very cautious with this. I have literally named everything i can do and given the option of the services in the 3 levels of agreement they can choose from.

Im not on the "payroll" so to speak, more a rolling contract, which i prefer at this stage in the business. There is a termination penalty in place so if they do decide to end it for whatever reason, they they know who much it will cost (Hopefully it wont come to this!)

 

[Bexy84]

Well, just an update to how the meeting went:

Went in and met the "Onsite technician" as she called herself....turns out she is the receptionist and the only technical thing she does is take the backup drive out at night and sticks in another for the next day

She explained that the company they would like me to replace were useless and never kept the company in the "loop" as to what was going on with regards to repairs etc. (Which is understandable as the company would like to know what was going on!)

They specifically asked for a quote for a "server only contract" from me..which i found a bit odd as they have 40+ machines on their network. Turns out they have just renewed a contract with another company to repair "workstations only"!

I took a quick look at their server setup and it is a shambles! One of the worst i have ever come across to be honest, with 40+ machines and changing staff every other month (due to the nature of the business) they have NO SECURITY SETUP VIA AD!!!!! As well as other things, there is not 1 single client machine on the network the same spec (which would be a nightmare to create a workstation image in case of a system dropout)

So.....my dilemma....
How do i supply them with a quote for a "server only contract" when the full system needs knocking out and built from scratch...but...i wouldn’t be able to work on client machines because these are looked after via a 3rd party company!

I have told them i would be in touch to arrange a system audit of their entire system (this is a must in my book) then submit a plan of action to finally get on top of the IT equipment and its users. Unfortunately this also includes the proposal of taking over the contract of the 3rd party company (but i see this as their own doing for not requesting to take on the server work)


On a plus note there is a lot of money to be made on this job, albeit a lot of work to go with it, but this is exactly the break my business has needed!

 

[cmonova]

They specifically asked for a quote for a "server only contract" from me..which i found a bit odd as they have 40+ machines on their network. Turns out they have just renewed a contract with another company to repair "workstations only"!

I have told them i would be in touch to arrange a system audit of their entire system (this is a must in my book) then submit a plan of action to finally get on top of the IT equipment and its users. Unfortunately this also includes the proposal of taking over the contract of the 3rd party company (but i see this as their own doing for not requesting to take on the server work)

On a plus note there is a lot of money to be made on this job, albeit a lot of work to go with it, but this is exactly the break my business has needed!

From what you wrote I am looking at it from a different view. I personally would probably not do the contract. It makes no sense at all that they hired another company to do the pc support and not the server. Why would they do that? Is the company they hired incompetent and can't do servers? If that is the case why even hire them? Or is it a "friend" that they hooked up with that part of the deal?

I'd do the audit tell them everything that is jacked up and then bill them accordingly. But, in the audit I would put a price on "total' network maintenance and not just "server' maintenance. To me I see issues arising with "their fault"/"your fault" when things go wrong and could become a disaster.

Lastly....Of course this is my opinion based on already having contracts in place and not willing to bring on new businesses that I feel are going to be a disaster or a possible disaster to deal with.

 

[ProTech Support]

I am going to agree with cmonova on this one. This is just screaming disaster to me. I would take a pass.

 

[Bexy84]

I totally agree cmonova...

There is no way i am going to take this contract if it is on a "Server only" basis. The My fault/your fault looks like it could crop up almost everyday.

I think the 3rd party company is in some way connected with the boss at the company. So unless they are willing to drop the 3rd party and go down a professional route, they're going to have alot of trouble finding someone willing to take the contract up.

 

[Martyn]

Agree with all other comments about this, either the whole job or nothing. The only way it woyld work is like HP etc where you do hardware only on the server, the line is clear then. With the software side you are on a hiding to nothing, if the workstation anti virus is poor and then it's likely the server will get infected and of course there will be denials. I think you need to make it clear that it is all or nothing and the reasons why it's the best for all concerned.