Monthly Archives: December 2009

Sister

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator

Many of you apparently don’t believe I have a sister, Lori. I do. You see her pictured here at Christmas. (She is on the right.) On the left is my son’s dog, Humphrey Bogart.

© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved.

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Posted in Peregrinations, The Best of Life | 1 Comment

Artist Sought

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Alan Weiss

I’m looking for an artist with experience drawing comic strips and dogs. If you are interested, please contact me with samples of your work:
alan@summitconsulting.com

Please do not call, email only. Thank you.

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Posted in Announcements | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas from Alan and Maria Weiss, and Koufax and Buddy Beagle.

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator

May health, peace, promise, and prosperity accrue to you and yours.

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Posted in The Best of Life | 3 Comments

The Immigration Story

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator

I just wanted to share with you this funny video I captured during Alan’s recent Best Practices workshop in Rhode Island. Enjoy, Chad

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Posted in The Movies: Life in Reel Time | 5 Comments

Terms of Endearment

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Alan Weiss

I’ve been getting a LOT of requests for help lately with payment terms. It seems as if the recovery is opening up business, but accounts payable (purchasing, etc.) has been given Ming the Merciless-like powers to keep the wallet closed.

Never negotiate or reduce fees (without removing value). You can negotiate terms, but do so on your terms.

For example, offer a 10 percent (or whatever) discount for payment in full on acceptance of your proposal. That will trigger a rule in many firms that any discount must be accepted.

If you’re offering more standard terms, e.g., 50 percent on acceptance and 50 percent in 45 days, then make it clear that “acceptance” means with the signed proposal or the oral agreement. Include a first invoice with your proposal. Send the invoice several weeks ahead of the start date if it’s scheduled for the future.

When a client says, “We have a 60-day mandatory payment rule,” ignore it. Here are two solutions:

1. I know you can approve a manual check, and our agreement is 50 percent payable upon acceptance. If your internal mechanisms aren’t geared for that, then simply create a check outside of the system.

2. If you insist on maintaining a 60-day delay, despite the terms of my proposal, I have to remind you that I am a small business and cannot accept those kinds of delays (because it’s more likely to be 90 days or worse if they’re telling you 60). Therefore, the fee for the engagement, which is now based on current use of my money, will have to be increased by 10 percent. I’ll create an addendum for us to sign. Of course, if you can arrange immediate payment, then I can honor the quoted fee.

Let’s be clear: Just because you’re dealing with a corporation which has rules doesn’t mean that you can’t have rules. And your “rules” should include the fact that you can’t pay your mortgage with promises, that your money is worth less the longer it takes to travel to your account, and you are not obligated to take risks of non-payment.

If the buyer and you have a trusting relationship, and you have conceptual agreement on a project which shows a strong ROI for that buyer, he or she will find a way to get you paid properly, unless you capitulate because someone cites a “rule.”

Here’s my rule: I’m very valuable, and you get what you pay for when you pay for it.

© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved.

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Posted in Business of Consulting | 2 Comments

Consultant Sought in Spain

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Alan Weiss

Request for marketing consultant based in Spain:

A Spanish commercial vehicle rental business is looking for support developing its marketing capabilities: identifying and selecting new sectors in Spain, and assisting the business in implementing marketing approaches. The consultant would need to be fluent in Spanish with good English, preferably be based in or near to Madrid with business-to-business experience and willing to get hands-on.

The client is looking to begin in early January.

Contact Steve Hacking at steve@latitude.co.uk, who can provide background and introduce the client.

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Posted in Consulting Opportunities | Leave a comment

Alan Weiss – Developmental Experiences

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator

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Posted in Announcements | 2 Comments

Alan’s Monday Morning Memo – 12/21/09

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator

Alan’s Monday Morning Memo’s mission is to help readers to thrive.

December 21, 2009—Issue #14

This week’s focus point: Change is about the art of the possible, not the science of the ideal. There are usually several good ways to get things done. The bottom line is always this: “What’s in your client’s best interests?” That might not always be your ideal solution.

Monday Morning Perspective: We are what we repeatedly do. — Aristotle

You may subscribe and encourage others to subscribe by clicking HERE.

Privacy statement: Our subscriber lists are never rented, sold, or loaned to any other parties for any reason.

Contact information: info@summitconsulting.com
http://www.contrarianconsulting.com
ISSN 2151-0091

© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved

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Chad Barr Interviews Jason Weiss

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator

A candid interview with Jason Weiss, Alan’s son, about what life is like behind the green curtain. Interviewed by Chad Barr, whom you’ll hear laughing, frequently.

 

and now also on iTunes

Click Here for entire podcast series table of contents

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Posted in Podcasts Series: Brave New World | 3 Comments

Alan’s Twelve Days of Christmas for Consultants

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Alan Weiss

ALAN’S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FOR CONSULTANTS
By Alan Weiss
(with apologies to everyone from the 16th Century and prior)

On the first day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
A large dose of self-esteem.

On the second day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the third day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the fourth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the fifth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the sixth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the seventh day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the eighth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the ninth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Nine columns printing,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the tenth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Ten agents calling,
Nine columns printing
Eight speaking requests
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Eleven innovations,
Ten agents calling,
Nine columns printing,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

On the twelfth day of Christmas
My efforts brought to me,
Twelve vacation days,
Eleven innovations,
Ten agents calling,
Nine columns printing,
Eight speaking requests,
Seven leads a-calling,
Six clients buying,
Five inspirations,
Four great referrals,
Three great colleagues,
Two new ideas,
And a large dose of self-esteem.

© Alan Weiss 2009. All rights reserved.

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Posted in Alan's Quest, Consulting Philosophy, The Best of Life | 5 Comments