Turning away business… or am I?

I had a new business meeting yesterday with [effectively] a startup - sounds like a good product. This startup is being self-funded and the meeting was initially about branding.

Figures were banded about and you can sit in those kind of meetings thinking about the potential revenue you could earn. But I didn’t. Half way through (and I have never done this before), I suggested these guys use an online service to buy in a bunch of logos for about $200.

Why would I do that?

Well, firstly, they are a start-up and it’s time to bootstrap. I’ve been there and I gave my honest advice as if it were my money.

Secondly, and this is the key one for me, I can add more value doing an effective website, rather than charging for branding.

My example was Google. Take a look at their logo. It has changed over the years but principally it is the same as it was when they designed it themselves in their college dorm in the nineties.

My rationale is that if I can offer value, that gives a return, then surely I have more client buy-in and potentially more investment / revenue, because they know I didn’t rip them off and the stuff I did do worked.

To many companies talk about business relationships and partnerships but quickly forget it at the sniff of short-term cash gain.

Sometimes, gaining trust costs in the short-term. The payback comes further down the line.

Besides, it actually felt great to give them that advice. I hope they take it.

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