A client of ours went bankrupt recently. When we began working on the first substantive project with this organisation a while ago, nothing appeared to be wrong. It was a serious outfit that had been active in the Netherlands for years. The client was enthusiastic, was glad to make plans for the future and was prepared to invest in a long-term relationship. Sometimes they came across as a little chaotic, and we didn’t always get the right answers to our questions, but still, they were such pleasant people.

More assignments quickly followed once the first had been completed. The campaigns proved to be successful, and we were even sent copies of several orders by e-mail that they had received on the basis of our activities. You’d seldom find such a satisfied client. While it’s true that the communication we received from the client continued to be somewhat disorganised, and not all relevant documentation was yet signed off properly, but we were able to get on with the work at any rate. We had already worked together after all, and we could trust each other. Couldn’t we?

Meanwhile the payment of the first invoices began to fall badly behind. Contact with the client revealed that everything would quickly be put right – there had appeared to be an administrative mistake on their side. The pleasant people at our client company assured us that all invoices would be paid at once.

You could already see it coming; or not, as the case may be. In the meantime the client went bankrupt; as it now appeared as a result of complete and protracted organisational failure, mismanagement and a number of financial disputes with all manner of parties. On the outside everything can sometimes to appear fine, while on the inside it has become rotten through and through.

The lesson? Always ensure everything’s on paper and never deviate from your principles. Sometimes things seem to good to be true. And often that’s exactly what it is. At times such as those it helps to have more to fall back on than vague promises and shady characters.

Posted by Rogier Gerritzen - Source : Computer Profile

Other Client, Invoice, Management, Project, Sales