The meaning of value

Last week I was lunchin' it with a colleague. We'll call him "Guy" since he's blog-shy (and a guy). Lunch quickly gave way to a debate and--since we both stuck to our guns--I thought I'd open it up to you fine folks. Like many issues there isn't a right answer, just opinion...

Guy was discussing how some clients are more valuable than others. Be they bigger, less risk-averse, more deep-pocketed, whatnot. I understood what he was saying --we're not to the debate yet, hold your horses--but then I ask him which he viewed as more valuable: Clients or Colleagues?

"Clients, silly!" said he. "Hear me out," said me. He did hear me out but not without first remarking "Clients pay my bills. Clients feed my family. Clients pay for my sports car." I understood that rationale but there seemed to be a big piece that Guy was maybe (or maybe not) missing.

Who alerted you to that job you have now? How many times has a colleague sent you business? How many times has a colleague explained a new method or illuminated a new solution for you?  How's about those uber-colleagues who fits the bill of 'mentor'? How many times...be they work associates, industry associates or bloggers, even...supported you? How many clients can you vent to on a bad day? And how many times have you run something by a colleague to ensure it's really ready so you don't fall flat and, uh, lose that valuable client?

Clients can come and go, but colleagues--if you treat them right--stick. Colleagues tend to look out for our best interests and clients can, too...but they have a responsibility to look out for their own interests. Nothing personal, that's their role.

Guy paused and then said, "The client still feeds my family and fills my gas tank". So I explained that we likely define 'value' differently...and then I sprang for lunch. Because hey, I value Guy :-).

What say you? Am I silly? Or does my value argument hold value? And yes, some clients also qualify as colleagues--always a boon when that happens.

Comments

[Tim Jackson]

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Both are very important. We have colleagues we love, who might not always have our best interests at heart (they want the good gigs too). And we have clients who will happily refer their friends to us and generate more work for us. Both have very strong rolls to play. That said, I know that this particular community of colleagues is always inspiring me, sharing with me, encouraging me and helping me be better and I try to repay that. It's a good thing we got over here...

[CK]

Thanks Tim (and welcome back to U.S. soil!). I come at this from an angle of running my own biz...so one would think I would place more value on clients (and I do love and appreciate them). But without colleagues, ones I've been blessed to have for years, I wouldn't be nearly as good at my craft--which nets into doing better by my clients.

Plus, most of my business comes by way of referral...from colleagues. Most of my friends in full-time jobs? Referred to those by way of colleagues. Maybe it is a middle ground, I make the point since it was so interesting debating it over lunch with "Guy" (not to be confused with "MasiGuy").

[David Reich]

Tim has it right -- both are important. It's a balancing act very often, giving clients who pay the bills the proper time and attention, and being there to support colleagues as appropriate.

Sometimes when you have to choose who gets your prime attention, it's not always the paying client. That's what friendship is about.

[Yuri]

I'd second Tim and still say that some clients should not be worked with - they need to incarnate several times before understanding what we tell them how to be successful.

[Jon Chamberlin]

This is kinda like the Chicken or the Egg argument.

I think it depends on your company. If you have a truly great (remarkable) service then your Clients are more important. They are more likely to share your service and if you offer something remarkable you obviously have things figured out.

If you run an average company your colleagues are more important. Client will be less likely to share and Colleagues act like your friends. They share with anyone simply because they are involved. Plus, in this case, your colleagues act like your support team, because you need one.

Just a thought.

[Cam Beck]

Interesting question... My perspective is that both colleagues and clients are living people and thus hold equal intrinsic value - just from a humanistic standpoint. Thus, it is imperative we look at them and treat them as we would have them treat us, were our roles reversed.

When the two have apparent conflicting interests, I just choose to do what I think is right. I say "apparent," because doing what's right is always in everyone's best interests, whether they know it or not, and even if it results in short-term pain.

Even assuming we have all the pertinent information, knowing what is "right" isn't always easy. We do our best, communicate our rationale when practical, and hope our integrity is enough to gain or retain the respect of the parties in question. If not, the one who leaves is the one we didn't need to be associated with, anyway. :)

[gianandrea facchini]

guy's point of view seems to me very tactic: client=money.
if one client go, get another one.
they are not clients but asset.
it miss the investment from the human side, the one delivering passion to be strategic, engaging and loved by clients, too.

[Lewis Green]

CK,
Very thought provoking. I hate to fall into the majority, that just isn't my style; however, I treasure both colleagues and clients. That said, I would rather have lunch with a colleague: it's a lot more fun. And you and I are about due.

[Fritz]

Networking is vital in any business. Thankfully, life is much more than just business :-)

[Howie]

You were mean. LOL That was a bit of a loaded question because many things depend on the business and situation. In private-profit/loss business without clients the business would not exist. On the flip side unless you work by yourself, its the strength of the team that is what creates demand from clients. I think mutually symbiotic is the description.

You just wanted to work him a bit for fun ;-)

Am I allowed to comment 3 years later?