Speaker - November 2011

Casting a reality check on real-world conundrums
Million-Dollar Dilemma

Place a classified ad for help. Seriously.”

Rich DiGirolamo Wolcott, Conn.

I would heed my inner voice(s) and disclose all of my thoughts to the client. If the client wants to move forward with full knowledge of my concerns, then we can work together. Full disclosure should continue throughout the process of fulfilling the needs of the client.

I would do exactly the same as for every other client: Determine their communication needs, agree on the way to work together, and exceed their expectations in every respect. Of course, I ‘d get a signed contract in place first.

―Alan Stevens, FPSA, PSAE London, U.K.

Jeffrey Smoller Eureka, Calif.

You just landed a million-dollar client, but
you were unsure you can satisfy the client’s
needs because (among other reasons) the
time involved, the work load required, or
even your own personal internal voices.

What would you do?”

You act as the project manager/program producer and use 40 percent of the fee to hire some excellent staff seminar leaders and consultants who have the required experience, expertise and whom you’ve vetted to make sure they’re a great cultural fit with the client (even if you personally would not be).

If such a contract allowed consistency with my values and lifestyle, great; if not, I would turn it down. If money, of any amount, would change you, be very wary. One’s integrity and soul should never be for sale.

I would give the same service to this client as I would with my other clients. The zeroes may change, but the service remains the same.

―Sanford Ashley Maplewood, N.J.

―David Newman Bryn Mawr, Pa.

I would reach out and recruit some of my super-star colleagues I have met through NSA and compile a team to provide the client with the best possible service and solutions. I’d also probably “move in” with the client for a bit, so I could truly understand who they are from all angles—what makes them tick and what makes them laugh.

―Richard Marker Ne w York, N. Y.

―Tami Evans Traverse City, Mich.

I would look at collaborating with a colleague. A million-dollar client is a dream that can turn into a nightmare if you can’t deliver. I would not compromise my ethics for money.

What Would You Do? is a regular column that presents a real-life dilemma faced by professional speakers. NSA members are encouraged to submit a dilemma for possible discussion in this column. Please submit dilemmas to ethics@nsa-speaker.org. NSA reserves the right to edit submissions for length and style. All dilemmas will be anonymously attributed. Opinions expressed are those of the individual respondents, not NSA.

The first thing I would do is get the best financial advice from my CPA on how to handle the windfall, and then I would proceed as a professional speaker doing all that we do to service and be of value … after I jump for joy.