When does help become billable?

Pho3nix

Pho3nix

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Morning all,

Have a friend who is starting a IT company, apparently he just got a contract to support a company. Now here is my question..He has asked me for some info on how servers work and how to setup automated backups of the executives emails and some stuff off the file-servers.

Now I don't mind helping a friend out when his PC has a virus or he needs a price on a LCD screen but this seems abit out of the friend arena and I'm not going to short-change myself because knowledge is money.

Thoughts? What would you do?
 
Pho3nix said:
Morning all,

Have a friend who is starting a IT company, apparently he just got a contract to support a company. Now here is my question..He has asked me for some info on how servers work and how to setup automated backups of the executives emails and some stuff off the file-servers.

Now I don't mind helping a friend out when his PC has a virus or he needs a price on a LCD screen but this seems abit out of the friend arena and I'm not going to short-change myself because knowledge is money.

Thoughts? What would you do?
Click to expand...

how did he get this contract if he does not even know the simply stuff?
 
Its simple, have a discussion and tell him where you have your line drawn.
Like you mentioned personal is personal business is business.
The odd phone call when they have really tried everything is usually fine as well but they need to do the work not you.
 
On that level of “help” I will consider it as a professional service. Inform your friend that he is actually “renting” your intellectual property… Charge him a fair fee for a first time service and adjust accordingly towards the future.

Just a warning, he is starting an IT company and is already tackling that tier-level. He should get certified or employ certified employees and let his business even do the Microsoft training program…
 
Beachless said:
Its simple, have a discussion and tell him where you have your line drawn.
Like you mentioned personal is personal business is business.
The odd phone call when they have really tried everything is usually fine as well but they need to do the work not you.
Click to expand...
This is what I was thinking. Will give him a call sometime today
Fulcrum29 said:
On that level of “help” I will consider it as a professional service. Inform your friend that he is actually “renting” your intellectual property… Charge him a fair fee for a first time service and adjust accordingly towards the future.

Just a warning, he is starting an IT company and is already tackling that tier-level. He should get certified or employ certified employees and let his business even do the Microsoft training program…
Click to expand...
Trust me, this is the usual for him. Trying to make money seems to be what he is after (no passion) so he wont do the certifications.
 
Pho3nix said:
Morning all,

Have a friend who is starting a IT company, apparently he just got a contract to support a company. Now here is my question..He has asked me for some info on how servers work and how to setup automated backups of the executives emails and some stuff off the file-servers.

Now I don't mind helping a friend out when his PC has a virus or he needs a price on a LCD screen but this seems abit out of the friend arena and I'm not going to short-change myself because knowledge is money.

Thoughts? What would you do?
Click to expand...

Just do a nice write up on what is free and what is not.

Tell him quotes are free and support is not. Its your time and money...
 
In our firm, the first 30 minutes of a consultation are free, provided we are hired to do the case. Thereafter, depending on whether it is a civil or criminal matter, it will range from R600 to R2500 an hour. All in office expenses (emails, letters, etc) are extra.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
Just a warning, he is starting an IT company and is already tackling that tier-level. He should get certified or employ certified employees and let his business even do the Microsoft training program…
Click to expand...

yes... this... because everything that falls apart in this world runs Micro$oft and everything else runs *nix.

and dont argue... Google, Twitter, Facebook, CNET, VISA, MasterCard, etc.. all run open stacks. There's a reason for this.
 
You're obviously not a good friend. My friends and I help each other with time, knowledge and money. That's how we got to where we are not by charging each other for INFORMATION? What a ridiculous story this is.
 
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