http://www.boyink.com/splaat/weblog/ Mostly web stuff from Michael Boyink of Boyink Interactive en pmachine@boyink.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/startup-weekend-2012/ http://boyink.com/write/startup-weekend-2012/#When:15:10:32Z Thanks for the write up Mike - was great having you join Startup Weekend again this year :-) --Aaron Schaap 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/ http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/#When:15:10:32Z Did one of these this summer. Talked to both parties involved, neither bad-mouthed the other, both were at fault in their own way. I was recommended to the client by one of their trusted sources so I came in more as a savior so they weren’t predisposed to mistrust. In general though, I agree with almost all of your thoughts on this Mike. --PXLated 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/ http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/#When:15:10:32Z I often find these projects to be full of pain - but yes a few calls can easily resolve the issues. Of the projects i then choose to take on often i find this the most rewarding to show that not all web guys are idiots outsourcing offshore without a clue, and then the clients become the most loyal. But then again I recently fired such a client - who was a good payer and earner, but an old phrase from twitter “your lack of planning is not my emergency” occured on every project and the stress got to me. Loyalty and regular clients are good - but you can also become too tied to such clients leaving you in a cannot say no situation and as you would not like to lose them. So do not always say no… But regulars - you know how they pay… new can be more risk. I guess it depends how busy you are - and the Boyink seems to always have enough on his plate…!!! Last note - recently took on a project that was done by some famous EE author and who now runs a big agency and it is rewarding to see the work they do not being above and beyond my own skills level - programming and custom modules aside!!! --Nevsie / Modeten 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/ http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/#When:15:10:32Z You’ve only got two possible choices in this scenario: Politely decline the job or ask as many questions as is necessary to learn the true nature of the situation. Then make your decision. You aren’t simply dealing with a failed project. You are dealing with a client who is predisposed to not trust you. And it makes no difference who was at fault in the previous relationship. --Paul Burton 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/ http://boyink.com/write/taking-on-a-failed-project/#When:15:10:32Z Thanks for the post, Mike. I know exactly what you’re talking about, as we often get inquiries like this as well. The first thing we try to figure out is whose fault it was. Are we just walking into an awful situation? One thing we’ve noticed is that the more bad things the prospective clients says about their old developer, the more likely it is that the issue is the client’s fault. A professional client may say something like “It just didn’t work.” In many cases, that’s legitimate—sometimes it just doesn’t work between two companies. But if the first 10 minutes of our initial call are spent with the client complaining about their old developer, we walk away. That isn’t a professional client and it’s likely they’ll find reasons to dislike working with us as well. Excellent post though, and a big issue. --Matt Weinberg 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/for-sale-eames-lounge-chair-ottoman/ http://boyink.com/write/for-sale-eames-lounge-chair-ottoman/#When:15:10:32Z Whoa, my stepfather had one of these but I had no idea it was so valuable! --Ian Pitts 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/site-launch-morganfranklin.com/ http://boyink.com/write/site-launch-morganfranklin.com/#When:15:10:32Z Thanks for the props. It’s always a pleasure to work with you and to slice the nice designs of Visual Hero. --Andy Ford 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/developing-a-personal-uniform/ http://boyink.com/write/developing-a-personal-uniform/#When:15:10:32Z The “without thinking about it” is what I’m going for..;) Thanks for the heads up on the Sketchers - will try not to run to catch subway trains in the rain…;) --Boyink 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/developing-a-personal-uniform/ http://boyink.com/write/developing-a-personal-uniform/#When:15:10:32Z Be careful in the Sketchers when it rains. I’ve got a pair and find they can be a litter slippery. Those t-shirts from Target are the best value in t-shirts around. They are comfortable and last forever! I practice a similar system but just without thinking about it. --Jeremy Latham 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00 http://boyink.com/write/on-the-pc-to-mac-switch-and-13-mba-bags/ http://boyink.com/write/on-the-pc-to-mac-switch-and-13-mba-bags/#When:15:10:32Z You can’t go wrong with Tom Bihn bags. I bought one ten years ago, still in excellent condition, its literally been all over the world, used almost everyday. They tend to be a bit more expensive, but you’ll get your moneys worth and then some. --Leslie Camacho 2012-02-01T15:10:32+00:00