This wasn't really a bad debt, but it was a finesse colletion. It's tricky working for friends. You like them so much it's hard to ask them for money. Dianne has been a career client for many years. I've helped her achieve ever-higher career moves so that now she is a senior vice president for a global financial services company based in Europe. In the last year, she's sent me a dozen postcards documenting her European travels. This is a longstanding friendship.
Dianne approached me to prepare her daughter, Valerie, for a critical interview. I spent 2.5 hours in three separate phone calls briefing Valerie. I didn't want to invoice Dianne at all, but quite frankly, we needed the fee. Three e-mails follow: Dianne's telling me to bill her. My e-mail explaining my billing rationale, and Dianne's e-mail asking for the routing numbers to my bank.
Bill, This is my expense. I've got you covered. Take as much time as is necessary to put her in the most advantageous position that you can. Much appreciated, Dianne.
Dianne,
Thank you so much for these wonderful cards from Zurich, Spain, and Helsinki. They mean a lot to me. I treasure them and keep them close. It's a delight sharing your world travels, because I doubt I'll follow in your footsteps any time soon. As you know, your friendship means the world to me.
Here is an invoice for my work with Valerie. I hate to charge you anything, and would gladly do it for nothing, except that I have a business to run, and consulting depends on billable hours. I've discounted my current rate by 33%, and hope this seems fair to you. I had great sessions with Valerie, and like mother, like daughter, she's a wonderful person. She told me she thought the interview day went well, and we're on to step two.
Let me know if this fee is in line with what you were expecting to pay, and if not, we'll come to agreement. As I said, I hate to charge you anything at all.
:B
Bill,
I have a U.S. account and what works best for me is to wire payment directly into your CareerLab account. Can you provide me with wiring instructions? If so, the funds will be wired to your account immediately thereafter.
Thanks again for your prompt assistance with Valerie. She is in need of a change, and this opportunity would be perfect for her, so fingers are crossed.
Also, I just dropped a small gift in the mail for you, probably will get there in a week or so. I think you'll enjoy,
best,
Dianne