Always talk to the Boss
When talking Business with an Organization, Company or Group of Individuals, Always make sure you are talking to the Boss.
I’ve been running my own Web Development Business “Image IZ Everything” for 15 years, and conducting business in general for 18 years. I was also the Executive Marketing Director of an Independent Record Label. One thing I’ve learned in all those years is if you’re not talking to the person that’s either: (a) The Boss, (b) Person Authorized to “Green Light” a Project, or (c) Cuts the Checks, You WILL have your time wasted. Anyone else just doesn’t have the clout to complete the transaction.
I’m a noted Expert Web Developer, Producer, Programmer & Designer to the Stars. In the past 18 years or so, I’ve talked business with over 10,000 people, and have acquired a little of a 1,000 Clients of every category & budget range. From your average 9 to 5er, Professionals, Business Execs, Entertainers, Artists, Celebrities, SuperStars, Movie Execs, Millionaires and even a few Billionaires. The list goes on and on. The one thing they All have in common is, they want to know how much it will cost and how soon can I start. Which makes sense if you think about it, because if you are the Boss, you already know what your budget is, and you already know whether or not you want to do business with the person you are talking to. There is nothing else to decide on. Everyone else under you will just fall in line with your decision (if they exist).
You can only imagine that with the numerous and wide variety of people I’ve talked to, I’ve heard it all. Even with that, you still get folks that feel they are telling you something you’ve never heard before. Rarely do they say something you’ve never heard before.
In my line of work a fruitful business deal will happen in the space of a 10 to 30 minute phone call or less. Before the Principle decision maker speak to me, they’ve already established that I’m more than qualify to implement their project. Due in part that they’ve noted my years of experience and caliber of my work.
Note: There are those very rare instances where a deal may take 24 hours to ink. Generally due in part that they may want to marinate on it over night, before pulling the trigger.
