He needs to change at Crewe

Small Change

How to influence people by taking care of the bottom line.

At the agency we often send guys to blue chips to advise at board level on digital marketing strategy. They might do a presentation. It might be a workshop. We might set up an internal knowledge transfer programme. The rates we bill at are pretty much in line with industry standards. But as you would expect if one of our directors is involved the billables can easily exceed four figures. The usual contract is a day rate plus travel expenses. We arranged one of these events yesterday.

Within a few minutes the client was back on the telephone to the account manager:

The train fare for X is £98.70. If he books the Southern Super Saver Thingy online today by 4 pm and gives 72 hours notice before travel it is only £72.84. He needs to get the train at 7.12. Change at Clapham Junction, Reading and Crewe. There is no buffet. !

LOL. I have suggested that we bill the tight fisted so and so for two cups of tea and a sausage roll (receipts provided) for refreshment.

• Losing my voice
• A memo from the client.
• Fire the marketing department