Typical Clients; Everyday Problems with Clients Perception towards Architectural Services.

 Client :- Idris pls I have a plot and want 3bedroom bungalow and 4rooms lettable self contain attached to it.

Idris :- So because I am so into advising on going commercial now means you people can be asking for difficult unique designs and una no go wan pay. Since you know I can deliver what you want, sha bring 150k make I run am for you sharperly.

Client :- I just want to start small, money no dey like that. I only want to do what I can start receiving rents from and maximize the use of the land. After all work no dey for all of you guys now, Buhari is giving all of you a hard time.

Idris :- So you want to play on my vulnerability, why not ask for a twins flat and let me give you that one self for free. Money to pay me no go dey, but to buy blocks and start the work won't be a problem. Well lemme know what you can offer and let's discuss. Drawings are not free and are our own intellectual property. So please call me and let me know when you are ready. And please don't promise me that you will do this or that for me in future dealings. Let's settle this one and when we get to that part we will talk then.

Client :- OK how much last because I will still ask if its possible to make mine 4bedroom as against the 3bedroom I was requesting for earlier.

Idris :- You see now, nna go dey ask for difficult tasks with plenty additional work here and there but to pay will be a problem. Anyway I will start this discussion after I see the survey.

Client :- I'll forward that to you later this evening and see how far we can go about it.

 

Moral of this story

Like my friend used to say, clients wants and wishes are like the size of a lion while the size of their pay can be equal to that of a kitten. How does that translate to effective service delivery?

No matter what happens, clients will always look for ways of exploiting you and get things for free. Holding your ground and demanding adequate pay for services rendered earn you their respect. I spent those number of years in school learning how to do that job easily as it appears and lots of energy and money has gone into that.

We must constantly find ways to engage our clients such that whenever professional services are required they would be more than willing to pay premium for it because they know who they are dealing with.

That's when one truly becomes a professional and not just a service provider. Learning to demand effectively due payment for services from clients such that they are more than willing and also relaxed to oblige makes you a true professional.

Its a continuous learning process and we can all achieve it... Cheers to a very beautiful week !!!

A night alone in the dark

A little over 5years ago a friend told me in order to fully harness and appreciate each other in a relationship, one might needs to take a break and see things in full glare. This is the story of my time at home all alone last night.

Wifey had gone to visit my in-laws for the weekend and it will the first time in six months. We have rescheduled this appointment more than five times looking for a weekend that I will be away out of town for them to be able to make such trip.

I don't know I have been spoilt beyond comprehension yet I don't know this neither do I see it as a problem. I am the type that complains almost about everything yet does so less to help. I will want my meal prepared fresh, I want the house tidied up before I return from work, I want the boys to stop crying and whining for once, I want the kitchen so clean to enable have access to it, I want my bed well laid, and if possible I want to be put to that same bed. Such is my laziness and I didn't know any of this till last night.

So I got home late and I had to imagine the stress I will go through in trying to open the gate that wifey would have rush to open for me. As if that is even the end of my predicaments, then comes to microwaving the Eba she's prepared earlier in the day before she left with the boys. The entire space was littered with school clothes and flasks. Obviously they were such in a hurry to catch up with Kabir who has been waiting along the road for awhile.

I was so so mad to later discovered that I will repeat the same process with the soup, ensure that the doors were locked, all sockets were unplugged it turned off. This are literally what I didn't even know how they were being done in this house. Yet I complain so bitterly they weren't done and still want that same woman to come to bed so happy and fly. Woe unto my type of man  I have been using my hustle to provide for the family for my laziness and tiredness.

I woke up around 4:30am to find out that I've been sleeping on the couch all night long and my phone was at 15%. I was so upset with myself, wifey would have woke me up to bed, helped me plug my phone and made sure she had one way or the other give me some medication that help me deal with hangover when I wake up in the morning. So I turned of the TV and moved to bed, I have an appointment for 8am but didn't forget to plug 🔌 my phone 📱 this time out.

Normally it takes me 15minutes from bed to when I will leave the house every morning when I have such early appointment. This time I woke up on the dot of 8 and wondered how to rush and tidy up and still probably make the meeting in an hour time. I would have wanted her to boil water to take my shower, ask her to make tea, help me find my socks, my wallet, my this and that while I only prepare for shower only. Obviously she's been the reason behind my 15minutes movements. Don't forget to Note that she'll be doing all this while she's still preparing the kids for school and yet another little toddler who doesn't like to be alone might be strapped at her back.

Before I could turn the gas and boil water alone I was already feeling so miserable to myself. It was obvious I can beat that time. I missed breakfast, I miss my phone being fully charged, I miss those boys with their whinnying, I miss my house being the same way I had always wanted it and yet I still miss the appointment. Now I've got dishes in the sink to wash, I've got the house still in disorder and exactly the way it was since yesterday and I feel so scared right now to go back and meet the house the same way.

I miss Rhoonie and wished I can cut short this trip, checked my phone and I had messages of my wife missing this devil of a man. She's been gone for just one night and she's been complaining of how she wished she could take me with her on this trip. I replied that such trip won't happen again except she wants me dead. My wife already knew I can't live by myself any longer. Imagine being reminded that I am suppose to eat before leaving the house and what I need to do for launch. Such kindness to a lazy bone like myself and an unapologetic Taurean that believes he's always gonna be right. She loves me just like that, just like that. Hiaaaan, this woman deserves better and I promise myself that I'll be better with helping henceforth.

Time and space might just be all we need to see and appreciate each others differences...

A whole new beggining

Good afternoon everyone,

About a week ago I was contacted by an old friend of mine and talks was long on how he had dreamt of reading my posts every  time. He had complained that what he's been seeing on my status can be put together as a blog post. I was encouraged and moved by this reviews. What he actually didn't know is that I already have a blog address with WordPress for over 10years where I post my ideas and thoughts ranging from sports to politics to socials to poems and all that.

Then about a month ago or there about I created this blog for a whole different purpose. I had wanted some where I can keep my thoughts and ideas on relationships, courtship, marriage and my day to day activities. In line with his request, I felt I should just be free with my write ups and don't bother to edit it. I will be dishing it out as I see and feel it.

Here won't be fabrication of stories but truth and real life events. I want to use this medium to appreciate and motivate those I get involved with on a daily basis. It's going to be personal expression of my experiences and challenges.

While I use this medium to welcome you on this ride, I thank Nnamdi Garry for encouraging me reactivate this blog. This is indeed a whole new beginning for me.

Happy reading y'all....