Talk To Me, Darn It!

OK, I am peeved. Someone that I thought was reliable has let me down. Here’s the story. A client whom I’ve worked with for a couple of years (and who pays well and promptly) contacted me about a job. I explained that I couldn’t do it myself, but that I could sub it out. She agreed.

Since the articles required in-depth research, I divided them among two people. The first person delivered on time; the second is proving uncommunicative. This is unusual. About a week ago, she said she was getting straight onto them, but they haven’t arrived. I have chased and have had no answer — and now my client is chasing me.

So now I am peeved. In fact, I am annoyed. If this person couldn’t handle the work, all she had to do is say so. The other person would have done all of them and would have delivered on time. Now I am embarrassed because I am going to miss a client deadline that I haven’t renegotiated. This person is affecting my reputation. I am still hoping for a last minute miracle, but if it doesn’t happen I am going to have to call in some big favours this weekend.

The lesson is that even if you have worked with someone before, they can still let you down. There’s no way around that, so you have to plan how to handle it. In some cases, you do the work yourself. However, if you know someone who is better qualified, then you need to go cap in hand and ask for help, which is just what I have done. I’ll let you know how it turns out.