Budgets
The story I have to share this month is about budgets. Here's the key phrase I hear a lot: "We don't have a budget."
To paraphrase one of my favorite movies, Inconceivable!
In my experience, here's what "we don't have a budget" might mean:
You have a budget, but you don't want to share it for myriad reasons (you're negotiating, you're embarrassed, you're not allowed, you're holding on to the outdated idea that you shouldn't talk about money... I could go on)
You don't know what things cost, so you haven't made a budget because you want me to do it for you (totally fine and definitely part of the work that I do)
You don't know what things cost, but you do know how much you have to spend (this information is really helpful, so please volunteer it when someone asks!)
You'll spend "whatever is necessary" to get what you want (this one is pretty rare)
You actually don't have money to spend on what you're trying to do (this one is pretty common)
Here is my invitation to you: figure out what you have to spend, figure out what you are willing to spend, and bring those numbers to the conversations with folks who you are hoping to engage for services, help, etc. I have found that being transparent and upfront about this question saves a lot of ajida later on. It is "always" more work for the person providing the service to try to meet a budget you didn't know you had once the work is in progress. And, you guessed it, that kind of transparency may also save you money in the end.
Stay well and keep moving!
With gratitude,
Tricia