HOW DARE YOU!

Has anyone been at a hostile meeting?

I have, and here is how it went.

5 Senior people were seated at the table.

The questions which ensued for the event company they called include:

( Mind you in a very crass way )

Where is the LOGO option?

Where is the Strategy Plan?

It is your job to keep giving us options until we accept it.

That’s it, those are all the options you have?

Have you being a director ever tried any of these options?”

I am taken aback, even after answering their questions as quickly as possible, then I gathered my thoughts and asked…”What is your budget?”

8 Lakh! the guy roared.

I have never laughed harder in my life. I looked him in the eye and laughed, I looked at the others and laughed. I looked at my colleague and laughed even harder ( She joined me )

“My agency is not equipped to handle such HUGE amounts sir ( I think the sarcasm was evident), even if the amount was at 3 Lakh, I would choose not to work with you,”

And I laughed my way out of that conference room with screams of HOW DARE YOU coming from the background.

Here are some learnings:

Could I have been more dignified in my response?

Yes, how they behave is a reflection of them, not you.

Did I do the right thing by walking out?

Yes, the first interaction with the client is an accurate reflection of how the experience will be working with them. Hence, do introspect before you commit.

Did their event happen?

Yes, and It was a disaster. I know this because I was invited to the launch by a client of mine who was attending. (Imagine the smirk on my face and imagine the look on theirs )

In our careers, we come across loads of people.

From my experience, I have noticed that the money is secondary, it is more the relationships you build especially within the service industry.

The clients we work with at Pegasus and the ones at Ting Tong Marketing are not necessarily businesses that pour in oodles of green, but they are here to stay and we grow when they grow.

We share rapport and trust. These I find are the most important.

Choose whether or not the person you are meeting gives you that feeling.

A high-budget client can be a BANE and a low-budget client can be the best thing that ever happened to your business.

Just make sure, you believe in what you are doing and the right clients will find you.