Gee thanks boss!

[kerberos.livejournal.com]

So, we got a big project of getting 70+ clients websites transfered from Old_bad_server to New_good_server.
we will bascially do nothing more then make new accounts and then repoint dns once client has transfered the files and fiddled with it.

Problem is , about 50 of these are client we took over from another business that went under. They are lets call it "non technical".
We have pizza parlours, hairdresser and the like.

As such I was working on a text to send to them explaining the whole thing.

Upon seeing it my "boss" goes  " Can you include a link to our competitors, just so they have an option?".

Yeah, way to go. I feel extremly motivated now, I know the clients aren't the best, but feeling my work means zilch to the company
really really sucks.

Have done this through 10 years and 2 mergers.

Hey I get the whole "not our main business anymore" deal to it, but seriously there are better ways to go about it when you want the Tech to
spend his energy on an increased workload for the next 2 months to fix a problem for you.

The fact is , I also get a kickback from sales of new stuff. So if I get these folks to sign up to a new deal on the new server I would get more to take home. my "boss" knows this and still all he sees is PROBLEMS.

Comments

[twfarlan.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I'm with your boss on that one. Grandfathered customers are more hassle than they're worth. Get them out the door so you can work on more important things.

[c0nsumer.livejournal.com]

Agreed. If a customer isn't profitable and/or is a hassle to deal with, you must not be afraid to sever ties with them. Giving them the option to go elsewhere might just do that for you.

[kerberos.livejournal.com]

Getting the clients onto our new prices/server will make them profitable, most of the time they never call us, ever.

I guess I'm just frustrated that the thing I've been doing for 10 year is now seen more as a hassle then an asset to the firm.

To first hear "transfer them and make sales on it" and then get "oh and by the way add your competitors pricesheet to the offer" is a really shitty way of being a boss.

If clients don't like the new price and leave fine, but don't give me a project and then put a blindfold on me.

[notthebuddha.livejournal.com]

the thing I've been doing for 10 year is now seen more as a hassle

Ten years in the same billet? In the IT industry, that is AMAZING stability.

[kerberos.livejournal.com]

Well we've gone through 2 mergers and 1 company reconstruction during that time. but yeah, i've gone from 1-line to 2/3 line in that time. thankfully.

[notthebuddha.livejournal.com]

Dude, only after 10 years finding that you need to cultivate a different skillset that is more in demand is not exactly a woeful thing.

[natalie-i-am.livejournal.com]

Depends which "competitor" you use. Just happen to find the price sheet for the most expensive.