One issue I have struggled with for years as a computer professional, is that of people calling for free advice. To be blunt, many people are complete idiots when it comes to picking out a new computer, and have absolutely no knowledge when it comes to looking at their needs or the best buys in the industry. They are like lost souls trying to capture terms and concepts, so that they do not make a big blunder when purchasing their latest computer product.
In order to make sense of this issue, I put it in a different perspective. If I owned a convenience store and while a friend was visiting, I offered them a free candy bar, then this is fine. However when this friend starts visiting my store just to get a free candy bar without me offering, or not visiting any longer because I am not offering this candy bar, then we have a bad friendship. Many people would argue that there is no friendship at all.
It is personally hard for me to constantly remind myself that my knowledge is my inventory just like the candy bar is the convenience store owners. In the past if I see a friend making mistake I try to give them a little push in the right direction, but then my good intentions go bad. Before long they are calling on a regular basis and trying to steal my inventory. Often when I would like to sell them a computer product the require, that costs me more to purchase than bigger discount stores, they throw the lower prices in my face, and deny me the right to feed or support myself. When I stand my ground and get mad because they are trying to steal from me, and essentially are telling me that they do not respect the way I make my living, they get huffy and don’t call for months.
Well friend, if you are a fellow computer professional, finding yourself in the same situation, take my advice. Just end the friendship. It is one thing to be helpful, but any supposed friend who does not recognize that your knowledge is worth money, and try to steal it for free, is no friend at all. Especially if this person is supporting your competitor and not helping to put money in your pocket.
If you are one of these friends, and you really value your friendship with that special person who has been helping you, then you had better slip them some serious cash sometime or a nice expensive gift, just to show them that you value their knowledge. You might find yourself paying $70 per hour for the same advice, and I guarantee that these people will not have your best interests in mind, like your friend.
Remember, that these friends need to make a living, just like you. |
