livendive 8 #1 March 9, 2005 OK, I used to work for company X as the "subject matter expert" (SME) for a particularly misunderstood bit of environmental law. Company X laid me off about 15 months ago and gave that role to someone else. Well, this morning, one of the researchers I used to assist wrote me an e-mail asking for help. I gave him a cursory opinion with lots of qualifiers and copied the environmental compliance manager of Company X, with the note "So and so (on copy) can point you in the direction of the current SME who will be able to assist you further." The manager wrote me back with Quote Dave, Thank you for directing this message to me. Next time please refrain from including technical guidance to our staff. I'd prefer they directly engage with an environmental compliance rep or subject matter expert. I thought it was pretty arrogant of him to try to shush me, considering I don't even work for them. Anyhow, a few minutes later, my replacement wrote the researcher a response, copying me and his boss, verifying my opinion, but immediately thereafter making a substantial error. A couple deep breaths, a good lunch, and then I sent an e-mail back correcting his mistake. I didn't include a "hah!" at the end, but damn I wanted to. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #2 March 9, 2005 Quote I didn't include a "hah!" at the end, but damn I wanted to. It's much more effective when you send a second message that just says: "Oh, by the way? Hah!""There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifall 0 #3 March 9, 2005 You should send them a bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larsrulz 0 #4 March 9, 2005 Quote You should send them a bill I was gonna say the same...consulting ain't free! I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #5 March 9, 2005 Quote You should send them a bill LOL - The thought had crossed my mind... Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #6 March 9, 2005 You should send them a bill I double dog dare ya' That'd get 'em! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #7 March 9, 2005 Quote You should send them a bill I double dog dare ya' That'd get 'em! Chuck I tripple Dog Dare You! with - NO - Returns.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #8 March 10, 2005 Quote You should send them a bill As a consultant, I get calls from people at old jobs sites all the time. ...some small talk and then, "Do you remember what you did about (insert problem) back when?" "I've probably got it in some notes somewhere, so it would take a while to dig it out." One old client, a CPA, called me up and asked me a question. He owed me $1200 for over a year and wanted free help. "I can fix it, but I'll need a check up front." I NEVER give them free knowledge. That is like a restaurant giving away free food. No one else provides any work or service for free either. They will certainly charge someone else for the knowledge you provided. I let them know that I have an 8-hour minimum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #9 March 10, 2005 Dare, dare, dare... INFINITY! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
