A Timeout for Pro Bono Advisory Services
Well, it’s been just over a year since the legal creation of Illuminate. One of the first comments made to me by a Minority Woman Business Owner was “Good luck getting Paid”. So, as I reflect upon 8 months of operations and over 12 months since legal formation, I decided it was a good time to address when you should no longer offer complementary services.
In the past week, my partner firm received six (6) requests in that timeframe from colleagues across the country, near and far, to use her time helping them. The requests ranged from a quick “Hey, how would you do this” to “Here is the information, read the several pages attached, and write back how you would best present the solution”. Frankly, it is really shocking how many people believe others should stop, help them, and do it without some type of payment. This is very problematic for those of us who do not provide or produce a hard product. In an ever evolving digital world, “consulting and professional services” are gaining great momentum. But, the failure to pay for those can cause personal hardships, destroy friendships, and even cause reputation risk for the ones always with a hand out.
So, how to differentiate friendly advice? We all have a core group of family and friends. Helping those out with your particular trade or knowledge base is common courtesy, really. But, for the extended “acquaintance”, the Facebook Friend you have never met in person, the college roomate, the colleague who included you on a competitive bid which was won but you never saw any work from, those are the audiences being addressed here in this article. Do not expect because you always like to share your cat adventures with another cat lover that you can take that to a level of essentially asking them to provide Pro Bono Advisory Services. If you have a venture or opportunity that needs professional advisory, be aware of that fact and offer payment. Sometimes, you can trade services or if it is a simple but important question that needs answering, offer to send them flowers or a gift certificate to their favorite pet store. Try not to abuse the friendship you have likely cultivated for some time now.
Many people who work for a large corporation and consistently receive a paycheck every few weeks, forget that those of us in private endeavors do not. So, any time you ask of us, is time that is not spent on paying work. Most of us join boards or committees or volunteer at organizations to provide our “Pro Bono” Services. That is our way of giving back to the community. Extending that beyond a volunteer position takes away from income, which we all require to survive and thrive here. So, if you are a corporate employee, try to remember that many are not and identify those in your life that you should not try to take advantage of and, instead, reach out to a colleague, who like you, receives salaried income and can take the time to try and contribute to your task at hand. It is truly the kindest gesture you can make to the self employed. And, if you critically need their input, be prepared to offer payment, period. It is as plain as that.
In our heightened world of politics, pandemics, and protests, try to rise above the challenges and be kind to your self employed and small business colleagues. For them, placing them in an unfair position of when to know enough is enough and advise their services cannot be offered Pro Bono for your task at hand, is a place they do not want to find themselves, especially over and over again. Help them preserve their time for paying jobs or volunteer activities. Be like Tallulah Skye, our featured dog today. She is a Canadian Airedale and knows when to sideline herself and take a time out to watch and observe and not actively participate. Consider who you go to for Pro Bono Advisory Services, and understand when that colleague has to tell you they are in a time out for providing free advice. This will ensure your friendship can endure all that life is offering us right now.
Be well.
