Wise Up Wednesday: Getting Paid Is Still A Major Problem!
Judging by the number of posts on the subject in our free LinkedIn Group, not getting paid is still a major problem, if not the biggest problem for Specialist Contractors.
So, where and how does this problem start and how do you fix it?
Contrary to what many people might think, the problem starts even before you have submitted your tender!
Why? Because that is the time when WHO you are prepared to work for needs to be carefully considered, and HOW you put yourself in the best possible place to secure work from Contractors that will actually want to pay you.
In my spoof book “The Little Book Of Crap Advice For Specialist Contractors” I allude to the folly of pricing work for Contractors who randomly send you an enquiry even though you have never worked for them or contacted them! Or the Contractor you regularly price for but never get the job!
Both are as bad as each other and should be avoided at all costs.
“Call Girl Marketing”
Back in the day before the electronic transfer of drawings and other data (yes there was such a time), it was more difficult to get on a tender list because it actually cost the Contractor time and money to prepare and send you an enquiry.
Now it costs them nothing to send you a disc or a link, and you shouldn’t congratulate yourself for just getting on a tender list!
Pricing work for anyone is what I call “Call Girl Marketing” and not surprisingly it doesn’t give rise to much respect on the part of the buyer, neither does it usually lead to a long term relationship, or most importantly, getting paid on time.
Unlike a “call girl” you are not going to get paid in advance!
Malevolent Apathy
The next part of the puzzle involves the acceptance of any old terms that the Contractor throws together, and what I call “malevolent apathy” on the part of the Contractor.
Either they don’t give much thought to your contractual entitlements or, if they have thought about it, they use particularly onerous terms. particularly in regard to payment.
Why for instance would you destroy the best weapon in your getting paid armoury i.e. suspension, by agreeing to 28 days notice? That’s just madness!
Taking Action
Last but by no means least is how to respond to non-payment, and how to take effective action, and whether or not your ability to do so has been hampered by the points discussed above.
It is imperative that when you aren’t getting paid, you need to take appropriate action. Specialist Contractors that take the right action at the right time get paid, those that wait – or get it wrong don’t get paid. It’s that simple!
Successful People Invest In Themselves
As anyone who really knows me well will testify, I am passionate about protecting the interests of Specialist Contractors. Yes, I make part of my income from solving your payment problems, and helping you guys to succeed. But, it goes much deeper than that.
And, I am not shy about promoting our 3rd Annual Conference on 14 July, because I know how good it is going to be, how relevant it is going to be (particularly about getting paid), and what a fantastic line up of speakers we have put together for you.
And it’s exclusively for Specialist Contractors, so we will be pulling no punches about how to deal with the Contractors who don’t want to pay you!
We have 112 delegates already booked in, but if you haven’t booked yet here are the details for; “Win Work-Get Paid-Make Money”
And, in order to fill up the last remaining places we are holding the June discounted price – so you can book today and save on the ticket price.
A lot of people are incredibly reluctant to invest time, money and energy in themselves and their own growth.
They’ll make any excuse for why now is NOT the time to invest in themselves or commit to change.
Successful people don’t wait – they spend money, time and effort on their own growth because they know without doubt it will pay off – for themselves and everyone around them.
So, go on invest in your success today!
Here are the details for; “Win Work-Get Paid-Make Money”
I hope you enjoyed my Wise Up Wednesday blog post and that it gave you some food for thought.
As always if I can help in any way please don’t hesitate to give me a call.
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