A Parody on Client-Vendor Relationships

By Alex Mandossian on June 9, 2009

If you’ve got 2 minutes and 19 seconds to spare, take a quick look at this funny video.  If you’re a vendor to other companies or if you have vendors, it’s worth watching :-)

Of twelve “observable” attributes I teach my students (and look for in vendors), here are four of the most important:

  • Resourcefulness
  • Deadline Sensitivity
  • Boundary-Based
  • Networking Skills.

Wouldn’t you agree that it’s just as important for clients to live by the standards they expect their own vendors to demonstrate?

client-vendor-videostill

Don’t laugh.  This sort of thing happens all the time between clients and vendors.

My chief of web development, Eric Lingenfelter, recently emailed me this video.  I sense his team deals with “problem children” clients like those depicted in this video :-(

If you’re an electronic marketer and have vendors who don’t live up to your standards, it makes sense to let them go so they won’t hurt your business or your reputation.

If you’re a vendor and have clients who are inconsistent with the standards they expect you to maintain with them, it’s best to let them go for very the same reasons.

I welcome your personal comments and experiences on this topic.


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8 Responses to “A Parody on Client-Vendor Relationships”

  1. Elizabeth Brewer says:
    June 9, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Wow, this is such a hoot! The golden rule of marketing should be the same as the biblical one… Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That would solve the problem of having narcissists take advantage of you. Also drop those who do not do likewise like a hot potato.
    Elizabeth Brewer

  2. Dolan says:
    June 9, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Wow, amazing how I can feel embarrassed just by watching a video with no one around.

    This is hilarious. So true and I will never, ever do that again.

    Thanks Alex!

  3. Kevin Dervin says:
    June 9, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Well if it hadn’t happened to me a couple of times in my own small business marketing coaching practice it would probably be LOL funny.

    Actually it is funny. Unfortunately, for many small business owners and independent professionals they end up putting up with these kind of clients because they’re so nervous they won’t get new clients. They don’t have a marketing plan and they don’t articulate clear expectations with the clients they do bring in.

    Also, too many small business owners under-value themselves and end up attracting the wrong kind of clients who may look like the ones in this video. If it’s happened to you, don’t worry because you’re not alone. Just remember that if you’re not outlining outcomes, roles, responsiblities and expectations then you’re not following all the way through on your marketing & sales flow.

    Don’t be afraid of making these mistakes. Just learn from them and resolve to do better and better next time.

    All the Best!
    Kevin

  4. Cathy Perkins says:
    June 9, 2009 at 10:44 pm

    So true about clients AND vendors. I’ve had to let a few go recently and while it isn’t easy, it is necessary to the health of your business (and your mental health).

    So if you have a hard time letting people go, swallow hard, take a deep breath and think about what is good for your business.

    Thanks for pointing out these important points. We all need to be reminded.

    Cathy – The WordPress Wizard
    http://TheWordPressWizard.com

  5. Steve Stewart says:
    June 9, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    Now I know what to watch out for…

  6. Detlev Tesch says:
    June 10, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    Alex,

    About 13 years ago I heard Bryan Tracy giving a talk here in Germany. One point that he made was that you have to fire certain customers.

    I agreed with him then and I agree with you now.

    Detlev Tesch

    Coach Detlev Tesch, EmoTrance Master Trainer

  7. Marian Sparks says:
    June 10, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Alex,

    I was watching this video with such seriousness, until I saw the scene where the woman wanted the highlights but could only pay for the trim! I had to laugh out loud (and not because I’ve done it. Seriously I haven’t!)

    I gotta hand it to Eric for sending this to you and you sharing it with us. What a great way to reinforce values of mutual respect and quality standards.

    Cheers!
    Marian

  8. Ron says:
    June 18, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    Alex,

    I am in the IT services field and it was deja-vu watching the scenes play out…Unfortunately in our line of business we see this kind of attitude more often than maybe in a traditional businesses. Amazing that the same client who in their personal life would not go to Marcus Niemann if they didn’t have the money will expect the highest quality work at dirt cheap rates.

    Regards,
    Ron

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