MinistryCOM - Four Answers

Still processing this. In a breakout session today, the suggestion was made that the communications team NEVER says no to a project. Instead, there are four varieties of yes.

Yes, we can do that within your budget and by your deadline. Everyone is happy.

Yes, we can do that, by your deadline, but not within your budget. Client probably isn't happy.

Yes, we can do that, but not within your time or budget. Again, unhappy client.

Yes, we can get that done, and here's who we will outsource it to. Depending on the price, client may be just fine with that.

Maybe I missed something, but I think there is another possible answer...

Yes we can get that done within your budget, but not by your deadline. I suppose the outsource answer covers that eventuality sometimes. Probably leaves the client unhappy, too.

The fifth answer allowed in this particular model is reserved for stuff that really doesn't matter where the end user wants to do it themselves. It's "Go for it. Knock yourself out."

There is an assumption here. Handling requests on this kind of a matrix assumes that you have already set a standard of excellence, and that you have the backing to say 'no' to the real question that is sometimes being asked. That question, often, is...

"I waited until the last minute, and haven't reserved an adequate budget to do this well, because I want to do this like I've always done it, even though I know that we're supposed to be doing things differently. Now that I've boxed you in, will you give in and let me do it my way?"

The answer to that question, I think, needs to be a firm "no." These four or five "yes" answers are the tool to enforce the "no" that counts, without (as Todd G. says) paying some of the tax for turning them down.