Yesterday...

So yesterday was unpredictable. I got a request for a proposal to do some training for a bank and I got a call from the people I sent the proposal of 2 days ago to. Their client had called for a site visit and they wanted me to attend as a member of their team. Of course I know how these things work when you are being subcontracted by a contractor. You try very hard to make the whole transaction appear seamless so that you all appear as one team. So I attended as the team building expert. Anyway, I ended up with them till 8.30pm. What a long day?

I need to finish up some deliverables assigned to me from that meeting. When it comes to invoicing clients I am learning everyday. Never do any work for free. No one appreciates free work. Always collect an upfront fee or do not engage. The fee paid upfront shows the client's commitment to the project. Once they pay you, they are after you. If they do not pay you an upfront fee, you find out that you are the one doing the chasing.

My fees seem to need revision again. I think for every proposal I have written I have kept revising them. I guess it's part of learning.

The pipeline is looking good. I am in kaduna this weekend for some work. Somehow I just feel like relaxing for a change. I want a weekend to myself , where I do not have to go anywhere. Well I shouldn't complain as I have had week days to myself:-). Anyway, such is life. We want what we don't have.

I am still asking myself, why do people go to a job when they can earn a living without going to a particular place every morning. I am seeing work without a Plan B as a sophisticated form of slavery. If you are working as an apprentice then I guess it's fine cos you have to learn the trade before you launch out.

It's strange though as I feel I am missing something. A team. Yesterday, I was talking to my friend about what feels different about working now and I said it was that sense of belonging to a team. Right now it seems I am just doing things for myself and I kinda miss doing it for a team.

So it's now obvious that group inclusion is important to me, so the question is I guess I have to form my own team as opposed to joining someone else's?

Let me think about this one...