Last June my contract expired, and I chose not to renew it. I had given my client about 8 months warning that I wouldn't seek to renew my contract, that I was going to retire. When pressed, I told the manager that I might be willing to come back and help occaionally for short term projects. I haven't yet decided if that was a bad idea.
I went ahead and initiated the process of disolving my business. I had to keep it open longer than I had intended because they were much slower than usual paying my last two invoices. Still all the paperwork was finally moving along nicely when I got a call asking if I would please come back for a tiny little project. Can you see where this is going?
So I gave a call to Cherry Road. I don't mind giving them a plug because I had worked with some of their people before and was impressed with their skill and intelligence. And I knew they they were already an approved vendor with the client.
Have you ever heard the term scope creep? I am now three months into what when described sounded like a one month project. Yes there was some of that "While you're here can you...?" but I am not all that pissed off because my upcoming vacation is now more then payed for and I never have to go into the office. Work really is easier when you are in a robe and slippers drinking coffee.
I am approaching what I think is the end of this project, and am trying to figure out a good exit line. The message I want to convey in the most polite fashion is that I would be happy to come help them again sometime, but don't call me before June. That's not unreasonable, is it?
