Frustrated? No, not really. Disappointed? Somewhat!
I work full time and I dabble part time. I’m fairly busy thus keep my hoof marks to a minimum and tackle to keep it interesting. Take only the projects that are interesting, creative and challenging. Some projects come from Ethiopians, and a few others not.
About a month ago, I had more than a small number of projects lined up. The money of course is lower than the median market price. Regardless, I was keen to transgress a few, being that it was something to do, and perhaps extra money.
As you know Ethiopians are akin to talking, they want to meet and jabber for an hour or so, albeit the fact the project requires only half an hour.
…wanna to talk; let’s talk. Just make sure you get me some buna"
Quoting the market price is sure to provoke a flinching reaction and thus will bring forth the negotiation ceremony and ending in a price lower than the market.
A client wanted to barter about 2,000$ of work, thought about it and believe it to be an insult. Another possible client had me decrease my price about 40% we met at least 3 times to waste my time telling him the mores of marketing a product to Ethiopians. At the end he gave the project to a non-Ethiopian business, most likely at a price twice what I quoted him. His lose! Only an Ethiopian would know the intricacies of advertising to the Ethiopian consumer.
….never carry out a project for an Abesha [Ethiopian] with out atleast half of the payment as a deposit!”
-The solitary advice given to me by a fellow Ethiopian Graphic Designer about 3 years ago.
Optimistically, it works out, and a deposit is sent. The contrary usual phenomenon is the deal falling through the cracks at this stage.
Yet another venture, once the negotiation was finalized the client disappeared. Been burned a few times over the years thus I’m content when they vanish prior to involvement of production.
This is not to say there are no Ethiopian businesspersons that follow general business ethics, there are and I’ve had the pleasure to work with a few. It’s just that most Ethiopians do not like to pay for a service from an Ethiopian even if the service is up to par with non-Ethiopian service provider. Why? Well, in my humble opinion both the service person and the client act unprofessionally when dealing with each other.
The fact that the service person is Ethiopian should not be given special significance. Nor should the client be given extra room just because they happen to be Ethiopians. We should acknowledge the fact they are Ethiopian and stress to keep the money within the community.
Published by August 10th, 2006 in Design.
Top 10 lies told to naive artists and designers:
http://www.paintercreativity.com/articles/top-10-lies.html
Yonas, That hit me, its so very true! I am Naive..
I tell my clients that I do not lift my fingers before getting my contract and some money. I say that I went to school for 19 years and each stroke of my hand is invested on and worth the amount of money I ask.
Curious as to what you do? mamitu?
LMAO @soda
It does sound like mamitu is some kind of massage therapist aydel?
I am not a massage therapist but an interior designer, and you would be surprised at how many people ask me to draw them a few lines (wereket laay tinish char char adergilign) for them to see how their house, restaurant, convenient store or what ever will look like if I designed it for them. I say Show me the Contract and the Money first.
Abesha need learn this…’to make money, need to spend money’. As a programmer, I have my share of lost $$$$ with Abesha — most want a Ferrari at price of Hyndai Accent. Never again!
I guess I’m not the only one that has encoutered problems… I wont lift finger either
Usually I don’t leave a comment but I wanted to let you know that I really like your site.
You have to set your boundaries, and mine is usually at the point of drawing. I will talk to potential clients as much as they want, but I don’t draw anything. If you can establish what your boundary is, then it’s much easier to deal with these situations.
I was searching google for information about massage couches and somehow ended up on this site. Anyway, it was an interesting article.
you all need to stop complaining about abesha clients since you choose to entertain them in the first place. I think it’s obvious that our culture lacks- should not say lack- but is different than westerners..ie.e the initial manuvering (buna etc) prior “contract sign”, attempts to barter and all of that. I think eastern culture including business dealings is based on relatinships, networks and referances…and using such media comes with it’s own etiquette (by definition, which are, by the way, all the things that you guys are complaining about…we need to realize that we’re mixing and two cultures and judging one based on values learned from the other…
I added this post to my bookmarks <3 More of this pls Greetings from South Africa
You you should make changes to the page name The Art of the Lost Deal! : bernosâ„¢ | African T-Shirts to something more specific for your webpage you write. I loved the post yet.