Not that you asked, but I have some things to say.

I had lunch with an accomplished and respected member of the Nashville Technology community today....we'll call him Joe (not his real name). We discussed action items for a committee that combines the local business and educational worlds. Sort of an oil and water situation (business world and education world) but we will succeed. This, however, is not the topic I want to discuss. In the course of our lunch, I requested that Joe send an introductory email to another member of the Nashville business world, a man I had actually met the day before...we'll call him Ike. Joe reminded me that he had, just the day before, introduced me to Ike. The setting was frenetic and I did not speak to Ike long. It was possible Ike might not remember me, as I had not told any inappropriate jokes or made any overt comments (my standard calling card). I had Ike's card, with his email, and could have easily shot off an email. It would have been the typical, and very general, "I met you, we ...

I spoke to a contact with one of my largest clients the other day. He was newly hired, and this was our first conversation. He mentioned the great reputation that both my company, and myself, had within their company. We have been a large service provider at their corporate HQ location for over a decade. In that amount of time, of course, we have had some issues. We hit the issues head on, resolve them, and have a high level of success with issues (higher than any of our competitors). But....I know for a fact that there are individuals within their company that would talk negatively about my company......and me. One guy absolutely hates me. The feeling is quite mutual. So...what's my point? Well, this one is a tough one. Statistically, many people/clients will be in the midst of a problem at any given moment. Ask them their opinion of their provider when the problems are at their peak. When the problem is solved, ask them again. See below for a breakdown: If they are calm during th...