TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:RE: salvaging damaged business relationships From:jgarison -at- ide -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 14 Feb 2002 09:02:39 -0500
Sue,
The first thing you should do, if you don't know already, is to try to find
out why the previous guy was dissatisfied. That way you can be prepared to
deal with any negative comments that may come out.
Once you're prepared for the worst case scenario, pretend that nothing has
happened. Call her, congratulate her on getting the job, and introduce
yourself to her as someone who has been doing contract work for the
department for a while. You should almost treat it as an interview because
that's what it is ... Be very polite, demonstrate your knowledge and
understanding of their products, processes, and your own expertise, and tell
her that you look forward to meeting her in person to discuss upcoming
contract opportunities.
Don't think of it as marketing yourself - think of it as cultivating and
nurturing an ongoing business relationship.
My 2¢,
John
John Garison
Documentation Manager
IDe
150 Baker Avenue Extension
Concord, MA 01742
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Kirk [mailto:skirk -at- iprimus -dot- com -dot- au]
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 8:22 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: salvaging damaged business relationships
<snip>
What I need to know is what is the best way for me to approach her, bearing
in mind that she is new to the Company and hasn't had a chance to see how
this guy operates and in fact might never see. Theres a good chance hes
said we had a lot of trouble with this writer bla bla bla. How do I salvage
this relationship. The manager was adamant that he would be happy for me to
continue working with the Company, but I dont know if he was just using that
as a way to rehabilitate his image.
I was thinking that I would perhaps send her a brief email ask her about my
work and try to organise a meeting? My biggest weakness is marketing/
selling myself so any help would be appreciated.
</snip>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Did you know you can get RoboHelp certified?
To learn how, visit http://www.ehelp.com/techwr. Be sure to also check out
our special pricing offers and promotions for RoboHelp 2002.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
