Live Safely

October 10, 2012

Listen buttercups; not that we’re keeping score here (because helping people doesn’t work that way) but so far this blog has been a lot of me generating the ideas. And that’s great- I’m delighted with that arrangement, I just think we can all agree that I deserve one day of turning the tables. Can’t we?

So here’s the deal: I’m taking this opportunity to ask your advice.

While I truly am not one to dwell on the negative, to err on the side of paranoia, there is an ugly underbelly to the whole working with private clients at their place of residence/work– that is the issue of safety.

Let me just say that in general, I consider myself to be an excellent judge of character. So there’s that. I’m able to access a great deal through a brief phone conversation with a potential client. That eliminates much of the risk right there.

I’m also pretty scrappy. So there’s that too.

But like… at the end of the day, I’m… you know, like a little bitty and such and there are like… some people that want to take advantage of bitties out there in the world.

As I’ve begun to expand my business here in Seattle, I’ve started to think more and more about this issue of safety. (DAD EVERYTHING’S FINE IGNORE THIS ALL HOW’S THE WEATHER OVER THERE GREAT.)

Beyond those basic measures I mentioned: screening out possible creepers via an initial telephone call etc, I would love to hear the measures you all take to stay safe– both those people who, like me, work in-home or in-office with private clients, and otherwise.

Any specific tactics you use? Apps? Tracking devices? GPS chips injected into forearms? I would love to hear any advice you have on the matter.

Tomorrow, I promise, we shall commence with our regular programming.

9 Comments

  1. Linda on October 10, 2012 at 5:22 am

    Good topic. Depending on the size of the plans, I would meet clients at a Starbucks or McDonalds. They are everywhere so I could choose the location where I felt comfortable and yet be near the client’s job sight. Also, I would always let my husband know where I was and when I was expected back to the home office. Always carry the cell phone.

  2. Melissa on October 10, 2012 at 6:21 am

    I work in an office so I don’t have any experience but the following things come to mind … all things you would probably do already if you were uncertain about a client.

    If you get a bad vibe take someone with you to the initial meeting and say they are your assistant.

    Always let someone know where and when you are meeting someone new and give them a specific time when you will be home by. Have someone call you at a set time to make sure everything is cool and have a codeword if things aren’t. Give them access to your diary. On arrival text any relevant info to someone – like a car registration number.

    Trust your gut instincts as well – if something doesn’t feel right leave.

    • livesimplybyannie on October 11, 2012 at 10:22 am

      Love your suggestion to have someone call and have a codeword in place– very smart, thanks for the comment!

  3. carolqellis on October 10, 2012 at 6:22 am

    I like to meet clients in a public place. I have had some pretty scary times when I have gone to people’s homes -so prefer this. I do always carry a cell phone. I err on the side of caution when meeting people for the first time.

    • livesimplybyannie on October 10, 2012 at 9:38 am

      Should have addressed this in the post– because of the nature of my work, I really have to conduct the consult appointment at their home/place of work, in order to see and access the space and project and offer them an estimate of time frame etc. Cell phone is definitely always with me though!

  4. ashley on October 11, 2012 at 8:52 am

    oh gosh, i hadn’t even thought of this…would it put a damper on business to meet up for your initial consultation in a public place? as your business grows, maybe you can make sure it’s clear that your intern/assistant etc. always knows where you are and keeps your schedule for you. i guess the biggest thing is, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. trust your instincts and err on the side of caution. i also have the “find my phone” app on my iphone… it’s mostly for if i actually lose it, but from a computer, you or someone you trust can log in and track where your phone is. perhaps give that log in info to your parents?

    • livesimplybyannie on October 11, 2012 at 10:22 am

      So helpful Ashley!!! Find my phone app… genius suggestion. Doing that pronto. Thanks ANC.

  5. Jordan on October 11, 2012 at 9:44 am

    I thought this was going to be a post about remaining safe as you dig through the messes in your hoarder clients’ homes – maybe share a story about the high-performance Hazmat suit you wear to protect you from touching from feces and hypodermic needles. Topic for next time? But all kidding aside, I was wondering how you deal with this. If your business has expanded to the point that you think you could take an assistant, bring him/her along with you so that you’re never alone.

    • livesimplybyannie on October 11, 2012 at 10:21 am

      hahah hysterical. Topic for next time, indeed. And yes, love that suggestion– an assistant would certainly ensure more safety.

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9 Comments

  1. Linda on October 10, 2012 at 5:22 am

    Good topic. Depending on the size of the plans, I would meet clients at a Starbucks or McDonalds. They are everywhere so I could choose the location where I felt comfortable and yet be near the client’s job sight. Also, I would always let my husband know where I was and when I was expected back to the home office. Always carry the cell phone.

  2. Melissa on October 10, 2012 at 6:21 am

    I work in an office so I don’t have any experience but the following things come to mind … all things you would probably do already if you were uncertain about a client.

    If you get a bad vibe take someone with you to the initial meeting and say they are your assistant.

    Always let someone know where and when you are meeting someone new and give them a specific time when you will be home by. Have someone call you at a set time to make sure everything is cool and have a codeword if things aren’t. Give them access to your diary. On arrival text any relevant info to someone – like a car registration number.

    Trust your gut instincts as well – if something doesn’t feel right leave.

    • livesimplybyannie on October 11, 2012 at 10:22 am

      Love your suggestion to have someone call and have a codeword in place– very smart, thanks for the comment!

  3. carolqellis on October 10, 2012 at 6:22 am

    I like to meet clients in a public place. I have had some pretty scary times when I have gone to people’s homes -so prefer this. I do always carry a cell phone. I err on the side of caution when meeting people for the first time.

    • livesimplybyannie on October 10, 2012 at 9:38 am

      Should have addressed this in the post– because of the nature of my work, I really have to conduct the consult appointment at their home/place of work, in order to see and access the space and project and offer them an estimate of time frame etc. Cell phone is definitely always with me though!

  4. ashley on October 11, 2012 at 8:52 am

    oh gosh, i hadn’t even thought of this…would it put a damper on business to meet up for your initial consultation in a public place? as your business grows, maybe you can make sure it’s clear that your intern/assistant etc. always knows where you are and keeps your schedule for you. i guess the biggest thing is, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. trust your instincts and err on the side of caution. i also have the “find my phone” app on my iphone… it’s mostly for if i actually lose it, but from a computer, you or someone you trust can log in and track where your phone is. perhaps give that log in info to your parents?

    • livesimplybyannie on October 11, 2012 at 10:22 am

      So helpful Ashley!!! Find my phone app… genius suggestion. Doing that pronto. Thanks ANC.

  5. Jordan on October 11, 2012 at 9:44 am

    I thought this was going to be a post about remaining safe as you dig through the messes in your hoarder clients’ homes – maybe share a story about the high-performance Hazmat suit you wear to protect you from touching from feces and hypodermic needles. Topic for next time? But all kidding aside, I was wondering how you deal with this. If your business has expanded to the point that you think you could take an assistant, bring him/her along with you so that you’re never alone.

    • livesimplybyannie on October 11, 2012 at 10:21 am

      hahah hysterical. Topic for next time, indeed. And yes, love that suggestion– an assistant would certainly ensure more safety.

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