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Nicole
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From: Nambucca / Kempsey, Australia
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A way of competing with large web design firms? - 1/23/2007 4:42:31
Have any of you ever, when writing a quote for a project that may last several months or longer, made mention of the fact that if in the case of anything that may prevent you from completing the project, i.e. health reasons, insanity, death (just kidding) that you have arranged, or can arrange for another designer to pick up where you left off?
I ask because it's obvious that I'm a sole trader and may be competing with web design firms of several or many employees, and with my total distrust of the mainstream web design community in respect of web standards and accessibility, I'd like to let my potential client know that I have "back-up" as far as people who can follow through with the standards I produce my websites to, and have told these potential clients that they require.
I now know that I'm writing to a committee with this quote, and want to try and cover all bases as far as "whether she can finish it in time" issues are concerned.
Nicole
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Tailslide
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 1/23/2007 6:04:59
I've something like that in my contract - basically I'm not at fault for stuff I have no control over.
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Nicole
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 1/23/2007 6:42:02
I understand that Tail, and that's the problem, but if I drop dead or something a bit less serious, what you're saying is that you have no back-up for the client who's signed your contract.
In a way it's like saying, I'm a sole trader and I don't know anyone who can follow through with the promises I've made to you (the client).
But what I'm saying is, if I can show that I have like-minded web design people I can call on if something should happen to me, then the web standards and accessibility guidelines I've said I'll follow with their site will be followed by other people I can tell them of, thus, hopefully making them think that they don't have to simply go with a larger firm because there is always someone there to "take over".
Nicole
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caz
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 1/23/2007 7:53:41
Nicole, in my experience local govt employ "Consultants" who are often sole traders as well as the well known teams of consultants, so it's not a new area for them. If you have mention of subcontracting in your contract, as Tail hinted, then it's up to them to question you - if they shortlist you for the job - whether you are likely to default through dropping dead and what happens then.
You can't take all the risk away for clients and it's up to clients to ask these questions - just have good answers when/if they do. How do you know that the other tenderers are not sole traders, some are not upfront about being so, as far as I can see anyway.
Everything in life is a risk and no doubt they know that their IT department can pick up where you left off if needs be.
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BobbyDouglas
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 1/23/2007 9:57:47
None of my clients have ever questioned that, I haven't put anything into my contract about it either.
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Angelosanto
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 1/28/2007 21:20:56
I can't really say I thought that one through to be honest, though I probably should have. Now that you brought it to my attention I have asked a friend of mine (a fellow designer) if he could finish any job I was unable to do. I have also put this across to my clients as an assurance for them.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention :)
Take care,
Angelosanto
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dpf
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 1/29/2007 17:45:55
quote:
In a way it's like saying, I'm a sole trader and I don't know anyone who can follow through with the promises I've made to you (the client). Nicole. you will one day worry yourself sick! why even bring it up???
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Nicole
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 2/2/2007 1:10:57
quote:
ORIGINAL: dpf
Nicole. you will one day worry yourself sick! why even bring it up???
Because I tend to worry, a bit!
< Message edited by Nicole -- 2/2/2007 1:39:50 >
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Tailslide
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RE: A way of competing with large web design firms? - 2/2/2007 2:56:30
Don't worry about stuff over which you have no control - you'll take years off your life!
I'm a horrible worrier too (about the kids mainly) but I do try to restrict it to stuff I can influence or do something about.
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