How To Tell Things Are Moving Up in The New Economy

I wrote about my frustrations last time with the paralysis on decision making that is wreaking havoc in the advice business. With the simple and basic "Yes, we'd like you to start working for us" seeming to be lost, we need new measurements to keep our spirits up. So some of my colleagues and I have come up with new positive measurements for the new economic reality.

"Not No" - a "not no" is when the proposed client is not committing to go forward with you but has not told you to never darken their door again either. As in, " I talked to the Frebolt Electrical Widget Distribution Company and they're not really ready to do anything but they said I should call back next quarter." Good going team...a not no.

The "Almost Yes" - an "almost yes" is a yes with qualifiers that have to be met before it becomes a full yes. As in, "We've checked your references. We've gone to the budget committee. We're not sure what role you exactly play. Can you come in an talk to us again. And we thing we need you to adjust your payment schedule." An almost yes. Way to go team.

The "We Know We Owe You" - the "We Know We Owe You" is when your payments have suddenly stopped even though the client work is still going on and the client in all other ways seems happy. As in, "Oh we're so glad you're helping us. I don't think that we would have made it without you. Yes I know we haven't paid you for two months. We're having receivables issues ourselves. But we have forgotten you." At least we're not forgotten...go team!