I'm Not Special

A few weeks ago I wrote on the nature of 'special' interview presenters.

I had just finished counseling a Construction Manager on how best to appeal to a University as it was considering a short list of candidates.  Shortly thereafter, I too was in the pageantry business as part of a larger team going after a University Planning project.  How ironic.

We knew the competition well - all respectable candidates; and we considered ourselves the dark horse in the race.  We formulated what we thought would be a distinctly different approach to the presentation, because we were after all 'different'.  What we didn't know is that the client was susceptible to promises that, to us, seemed unwise.  We lost.

Dark horse or not, this stung.  In the debriefing, our approach was complimented; and we were assured of future consideration. Here's the dilemma. Often in the past when I've lost out on a commission I wanted, I would eventually find some element of the project which would have been impossible had the job been landed.  Money loser, indecisive client, conflict of interest, anything that might seem awkward.  So now, with potential future work on the line, what's the recovery time with the potential client who let you down.

Is this anything like what goes through Britney Spears mind?  Nothing seems to stop her.