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Thread ID: 111665 2010-08-06 09:57:00 How to handle a business approach Renmoo (66) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1125042 2010-08-06 09:57:00 Dear all,

Recently, I have been offered a website administration contract for a particular medical center in Auckland. The owner would like to meet me personally in a month's time to discuss more about this proposal.

My question is: How do I handle the appointment? I guess I would need to select a place to meet-up first (e.g. in a restaurant) and then go through all the terms and conditions?

Please advise, thanks :)
Renmoo (66)
1125043 2010-08-06 10:05:00 I'd let him select the time and place - then the ball is in his court and you will be seen as being 'customer-friendly'.

You will need to prepare a list of questions:

How much time will the job take up (bearing in mind your internship in Napier)?
What turn-around is expected for updates?
Is there a clear escalation path for problems you may encounter?

Etc...

Hard to know what else should be on your list (as regards specific responsibilities without knowing what the site actually does - for instance, is it a fairly static information-only type site, or does it have price lists or order forms or other interactive content that requires constant or semi-constant hands-on monitoring)
johcar (6283)
1125044 2010-08-06 10:12:00 Unless there is an expectation of a paid lunch (by someone), then you would normally meet that person at their business. In this case it would be offices at the medical centre. Just ask them what time suits best. Make sure you do your homework first and find out as much as possible about their business and current website.

Before you start giving out your T&C's, find out what their expectations and requirements are to make sure this is something you wish to take on. For example, future development plans for the website, regular online newsletters being published or whether they will be maintaining content themselves via a CMS. Who is responsible if the website gets hacked or the server goes offline for a week - you or the webhost?

Don't forget to take plenty of notes of your discussion and always clarify anything that seems vague before you leave.
Jen (38)
1125045 2010-08-07 06:50:00 I'd let him select the time and place - then the ball is in his court and you will be seen as being 'customer-friendly' .

Agreed and noted .



You will need to prepare a list of questions:

How much time will the job take up (bearing in mind your internship in Napier)?
What turn-around is expected for updates?
Is there a clear escalation path for problems you may encounter?

Etc . . .

He is aware that I will be doing my internship in Napier next year . The website has been abandoned for quite some years and he wants me to update the URLs embedded in the HTML documents, but I will clarify the finer points with him .



Hard to know what else should be on your list (as regards specific responsibilities without knowing what the site actually does - for instance, is it a fairly static information-only type site, or does it have price lists or order forms or other interactive content that requires constant or semi-constant hands-on monitoring)
It is a fairly static website, displaying medical information as to their services on the web pages .

Thanks :)
Renmoo (66)
1125046 2010-08-07 06:54:00 Unless there is an expectation of a paid lunch (by someone), then you would normally meet that person at their business. In this case it would be offices at the medical centre. Just ask them what time suits best. Make sure you do your homework first and find out as much as possible about their business and current website.

Good point. Thanks.



Before you start giving out your T&C's, find out what their expectations and requirements are to make sure this is something you wish to take on. For example, future development plans for the website, regular online newsletters being published or whether they will be maintaining content themselves via a CMS. Who is responsible if the website gets hacked or the server goes offline for a week - you or the webhost?

Noted.



Don't forget to take plenty of notes of your discussion and always clarify anything that seems vague before you leave.
Yup, will do. Thanks :)
Renmoo (66)
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