Today I had an interesting call from a close/distant friend.
Although we speak only once or twice a year, to catch up with our news, we have known each other since early school and maintain a strong relationship!
Surprisingly, I 'serve' clients like him, and he 'hires' creatives like me, so we have discussed business many times, too, but we have never worked on a project together.
Today he called me to ask for my advice.
He had an urgent project in mind for which he had received already a proposal, from some creative agency, but he was willing to consider mine if I was interested in sending one too... and I was!!
The project was easy, fun, and profitable!
Also, my friend privately shared the other offer with me, to have a look and tell him if they were overcharging them.
After seeing their offer, I knew mine was slightly cheaper.
Because of my previous relationship with 'the client', and accounting for all the above, getting the deal seemed easy!
But... I never calculate things solely the profit.
In my twenty years and more working, my top priorities are the client's best outcome, service, and satisfaction.
And in this case, it was in the client's best interest to work with the other agency, because of the following reasons:
- They have more experience on similar projects than I do.
- They are 'hungry' to have my friend as a client, so they would go the 'extra mile' to give him excellent service.
- They are established professionals having a solid reputation.
- Their offer is 'in the ballpark' and they are not trying to take advantage by overcharging because of the project's urgency.
- Their equipment is top-notch!
- It is an opportunity for my friend's company to collaborate with a great agency and establish a long-term relationship with them.
All of the above made me evaluate that they were a 'better fit' for this project than I am.
All the above plus one more reason.
It seemed inappropriate to 'steal' the deal using my friendship.
Although I wanted to work with him for many years, I advised my friend to hire them instead of me.
Here's the thing:
it is hard to say 'No' to easy money but...
it is easy to say 'Yes' to healthy relationships.
It's one of my Work/Life philosophies and... it works.
I have long-life friends and clients who prove that!
-Yannis
