Comments on: What’s Your BATNA?

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:38:00 +0000

Sometimes Stacy the best thing is when they leave. You're both happier! And that's not to say they're crazy or whatever, but that two people did not see eye-to-eye.

Well, maybe some of them are crazy! LOL

By: Stacy Quarty

Stacy Quarty — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:31:00 +0000

I agree- define the boundaries and stick to them.

I lost a big client that would not, could not adhere to reason. I think she was bipolar. After numerous attempts to accommodate her needs, with neither one of us being happy, I finally put a limit to her endless requests for revisions. She soon notified me that she found another designer. Phew!

Losing that account was one of the best business decisions ever!

By: Ruthibelle

Ruthibelle — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:36:00 +0000

this is good stuff- i’ma hafta siddown and think through some BATNAs for some situays right now… thanx

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:04:00 +0000

It’s also important to measure the amount of misery vs. benefit sometimes. ;)) In some cases, a little bit of discomfort is offset by large amounts of money. I’ll take that! LOL

By: Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:29:00 +0000

Walking away from a project is usually my last resort. When I've ultimately done so in the past, I've always been glad I did.

Like you wrote, Lori, there's a limit to what any professional should have to take. Why be miserable when you don't have to be?

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Kimberly, I had a client once who expected a 75,000-word technical document written from scratch and impeccably researched – in 3 months. Oh, and at ridiculously low rates. While I honored my commitment, I did push back on the arbitrary deadline and managed 5 months instead of 90 days. I swore then I’d never again take a project like that without negotiating a higher rate (and sadly, I had and it was still too low) and allowing enough time for the deadline to be met.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:09:00 +0000

“In a few cases in the past, I’ve had to endure entirely too much just to deliver – sometimes facing ridiculous deadlines.”

Wow, I can relate to this. It’s a miserable place to be. I have to remind myself that when things get to this point I can walk away if need be. Sometimes walking away is necessary.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:59:00 +0000

Having been imprisoned in bad situations in the past, I agree. There is a limit to what any professional should have to take. In a few cases in the past, I’ve had to endure entirely too much just to deliver – sometimes facing ridiculous deadlines. Nowadays, I’m prone to stepping back, giving things a more skeptical eye, and then putting forth terms that make me happy, as well. If the client doesn’t accept those terms, I’m fine with walking away.

Define the boundaries and stick to them.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:25:00 +0000

Before I start a negotiation, I know how far I'm willing to negotiate back. If that line is crossed, I'm out.

I am not afraid to walk away from a job. It's better than being imprisoned with a ridiculous client.