While working with a new subcontractor, it quickly became obvious we have different approaches to project implementations.
They have very strict labels and rules. If they consider themselves as a subcontracted employee, they behave in this manner. If they are considered partners, they behave in another way. For example, in the former, they cannot ask the end client for a review on AppExchange. If they are the latter, they can.
Further, each task needs to be measured. Even though their proposal was fixed-price, it seems they still track their hours. And if a task doesn’t fit in their projected budget, they submit change orders.
This approach seems very task focused.
In contrast, my approach is outcome-focused and the price is all inclusive, without change orders. I focus on delighting the client, and delivering a successful implementation. The details of how that happens is irrelevant. I never track hours, and am fluid to work around any requests, issues, or obstacles. As Bruce Lee once said, “Be like water.”
This is not to say one approach is necessarily better than the other, but there are some definite benefits of being outcome-focused. This includes:
- Not tracking hours
- No micromanaging
- Not forcing the client to fit into your way of working
- Attracting better clients – ones that don’t focus on price and time, but on outcomes
The takeaway
I believe most freelancers and small agencies do not operate with an outcome focus. They track their hours, submit timesheets, and expect to be paid for their time. They have strict norms and procedures, and make their client fit within their methodologies.
Perhaps there’s another, less stressful way.