Playing nicely with others

[Gentile]

So here’s a problem...

There's a lot to be said for "playing nicely with others", as you put it. I saw an interview with Warren Buffett years ago where he attributed much of his later financial success to attending one of Dale Carnegie's somewhat clichéd How To Win Friends And Influence People courses. Bottom line: it pays to be nice. It's usually far more important than merely being right or being competitive.

That said, you do need to draw a line between "being nice" and allowing people to take the pee. Picking someone up on your way to a venue is one thing. Driving hours out of your way to do so is another. I'd ask them to meet you at some point on your existing route, or to make their own arrangements. You can put it nicely, but simply saying you can't afford to undertake a multi-hour detour should be enough for most people to get that it's too much to ask.

[escapeUK]

There's a lot to be said for "playing nicely with others", as you put it. I saw an interview with Warren Buffett years ago where he attributed much of his later financial success to attending one of Dale Carnegie's somewhat clichéd How To Win Friends And Influence People courses. Bottom line: it pays to be nice. It's usually far more important than merely being right or being competitive.

Ive read that book several times, and the principles in it are interesting. Lets not forget though that it was first published in 1936 and I think the world is a massively different place.

However, my real world experience shows me that most things people do are forgotten, if indeed they were every realised by those in charge. I have known lots of people who were going the extra mile and were amazed when they were first to be made redundant, where others who did next to no work but brown nosed those in charge were always kept on and promoted.

[speling bee]

Are you running a taxi service?
Are 'taxi services' in your contract or statement of work?

Assuming not, your client should contract with a taxi service.

[SimonMac]

Can you not suggest a comprise, get them to train it to a mutually convenient spot and agree to pick them up from there?

[BA to the Stars]

Don't let them make it your problem. From reading your initial mail it would appear that ClientCo has engaged the Tetley Tea Folk and so it is up to them how they get them to the venue.

How many resource are we talking about - is your vehicle large enough to accommodate them or are you using the 2 seater that day?

By all means be as helpful as possible but do not let them use you like this.

I take it that they have told you that they will pay your mileage costs from your office to the venue via Head Office.

It is the Client responsibility - not yours

[Scrag Meister]

£150+ per head will calm your conscience I'm sure.

[eek]

having reread the post again its the tea folk expecting the lift not clientco.

Which answers the question very simply. The answer is no and if anyone from clientco says anything use what escapeuk said.

"Oh I couldnt possibly start travelling from 4am id be like a zombie and of no use to anyone. Thats why I intend to go up the night before and stay in a B&B. As I once nearly had an accident travelling so early and I swore never again."

[kingcook]

Now none of the employees of the tea producer can drive

"Oh dear. How sad. Nevermind..." !!!

It really isn't your problem, it's the Tea company's problem.

If they lived on my street, maybe i'd consider it. 3 hours on my journey? FOOK THAT

[BA to the Stars]

"Oh dear. How sad. Nevermind..." !!!

It really isn't your problem, it's the Tea company's problem.

If they lived on my street, maybe i'd consider it. 3 hours on my journey? FOOK THAT

Before we know it, the Tea Company staff will want our jobs........oh wait

[NotAllThere]

Give them the number of a long-distance taxi service; tell them to arrange their own transport.