Working with clients can be incredibly rewarding. Their unique perceptions, expectations and idiosyncratic quirks are the variables that keep projects interesting. At times, when on the phone or sitting at a meeting with some of my employers, I can’t help but unfairly compare them to some of the caricatures I’ve seen in my favorite movie. Let this post serve as a tongue-in-cheek roast of endearment.
The Walter Sobchak
I’m talking about drawing a line in the sand, Dude.
This type sporadically charges in with an arsenal of their own partially thought out ideas and a grab bag of smashing magazine links for your careful consideration. While they really do care, their zeal and inability to retain overall perspective requires constant refocusing and redirection. The best & worst part of it all, they incite that rare brand of rage that only someone you’ve come to care a lot about is capable of. Dios mio man, you’ve got a friend for life.
The Maude
This is Maude Lebowski. I need to see you. I’m the one who took your rug.
A company hires a PR firm, who hires an ad agency, who hires a marketing team who hires you. While it is possible to sort out who’s really calling the shots, be ready to sift through all the Jackie Treehorns, Brandts, and Big Lebowskis to get to Maude. Determine who the point person is and where the money is really coming from, and you’ll be able to handle all the extra ins, outs and what-have-yous.
The Nihilists
We don’t care, we still want the money.
Details are unimportant, they are just after a final product. They’ll come to you with what (in their minds) is a million dollar idea for a website without doing any market research or even looking into how it will be accomplished. Most likely, they’re strategy is less than sound, so beware: no one wants to have to cut off a toe.
The Brandt
Her life is in your hands, Dude.
Clients that step out of the way and let you do what you do best can be ideal. Just be sure they aren’t trying to drop too much in your lap. Sure, helping out and providing work that positions clients for success is important, but that doesn’t mean that you are to be held responsible for how the business performs overall. If they want recurring consulting & design work, they’ll have to pay for it. This is their concern, Dude, not yours.
The Theodore ‘Donny’ Kerabatsos
You’re like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie.
They’re out of their element. They need you to explain what’s going on and how to get things done. Sure, they may be nice people, but you’re going to have to strike a balance. After domains have been registered, DNS has been configured, and their email has been set up on their computer, it’s just going to be time to say, “Good night, sweet prince”.
The ‘Big’ Lebowski
The bums lost!
It is painfully obvious by the vain, grandiose facade that they’re full of it. Every few months I hear, “Your going to have to hire some more people, because this idea is huge and we’re going to keep you busy,” and I run for the hills. Usually, the people with big ideas and big opportunity won’t have to go out of their way to prove it to you. Unless you really trust them or believe in what they’re doing, tell them no. Tattoo it on your forehead, it’s your answer to everything!
The Dude
The Dude Abides
Whether they just want their rug back, or a rebranding for their company, they are great to work with. Clients that trust you, challenge you, and expect your best help create an ideal partnership. Sometimes there’s a man who, well, he’s the man for his time ‘n place, he fits right in there–and that’s the Dude.
Freaking Nihilists!
I don’t have the (dis)pleasure of working with a different kind of client every day. Instead there are about ten or so that I rotate in and out. I’d probably say that six of those are nihilists, two are The Dude, one Maude, and one Walter.
Walter is the most annoying and the most fun client at the same time. I think deep down he knows that he is ridiculous, he just can’t ever admit it because his company-wide persona would come crumbling down.
Time to add this movie to my Netflix queue, it has been about 6 months since I’ve seen it.
Mr. Meeks, Netfix schmetflix… time to buy a copy! I hear you on the nihilists & 6 of them has got to be insane.
Saw your website when looking through a design gallery, was curious to see what ‘my cat will f#$K you up’ was about but ended up at the lebowski page instead. You nailed it, pure and simple. Ive got a ‘Big’ Lebowski client too, and ive heard the same ‘we’re gonna keep you busy’ BS from him a few times…and you’re absolutely right, unless you believe in the idea too, run for the hills! Good work.
Aitz chaim he, Dude. As the ex used to say.
The Dude abides.
Say what you will about the tenets of National Socialism, but at least it’s an ethos.
Brilliant article!
How about the Jackie Treehorn?
A client that seems like they are on top of things and full of great ideas but when you get to the root of all their “deep thoughts” it’s nothing but a pencil sketch of a cartoon guy with a boner.
I see Brandt as the worst, and possibly the most common, type of client: the middle manager flunky. Brandt lives in fear of a micromanaging self-centered boss but is also too polite to ‘give it to you straight,’ so all feedback is couched in wishy-washiness as he tries in vain to prevent a conflict between you and the boss that wouldn’t even exist if there was open communication.
Brandt doesn’t like you OR his boss, but he’s desperate for acceptance and promotion. This is the sort of person who would rather have the word “senior” added to his job title than get a raise. Oh, wait, I just got an email… it’s Brandt, he wants to connect to me on LinkedIn.
It is usually best to have a single contact at the client company, but Brandt’s not the liaison you want, he doesn’t have any power or influence. He won’t be able to sell your ideas to his boss, and he won’t be able to communicate his boss’ needs to you. He’s just a glorified secretary/gopher for the sort of petulant boss who’s too self-important to talk to someone who wears jeans to work.
What can I say? You nailed it. Stroke of genius, this one.
That said, Brandt is the most realistic, and thus funniest, character in the film.
We’re not talking about a guy who built the railroads here….
Shut the f up Donny! If only I could have said that to some of the clients I’ve worked with. The Walter and the Big Lebowski are definitely the worst kind *sobs*, very entertaining article
lol ! this is really funny …
as a freelancer professional We gotta face weird clients …
Excellent post, keep it up