How to let go of an IT consultant?

[DonIsHere]

I am running a small business and have been using an IT consultant for about 3 or 4 years now. He has preached Linux and SCO to us from day 1. My business has now decided to go the Microsoft route and get Microsoft stuff for our server and computer network. We have also hired a new IT consultant. I have not yet told the old IT consultant of this. What's the best way to go about basically telling this guy that we no longer need his services without sounding like a-holes?

 

[akubi]

SCO??? SCO??

gg

just mention the craphole situation SCO is in right now and he'll quit from the humiliation

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Hand him a Win ME install disk.

 

[agnitrate]

What does it matter? It's just business. If he's 'hurt' by the fact that you've gone another route, it's not your problem. Just be a man and tell him over a beer and he'll move on.

 

[skace]

"We went bankrupt"

 

[Hyperblaze]

What made you go the Microsoft route?

 

[TreyRandom]

Thank you for your services over the past 4 years. However, we no longer need your services.

There's not gonna be an easy way to break it to him - a job loss is a job loss is a job loss... you can't expect him to be thrilled about it. But if it's best for the company, you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Tell him up front, you've gotta be straight. But be kind and see if you can't locate another business that could use some Linux guru knowledge.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: agnitrate
What does it matter? It's just business. If he's 'hurt' by the fact that you've gone another route, it's not your problem. Just be a man and tell him over a beer and he'll move on.

yeap.

just tell him what is going on. he made a bunch of money off you for those years he should be happy.

Time for him to move on.

 

[mpitts]

I rarely have customers do this, but when they do I take it in stride.

Just let him know that you are changing directions and that you hope he understands. He will be OK.

 

[isasir]

He's a consultant. I'd like to think that he's more prepared to accept termination of services than someone who's salaried with benefits. That being said, be nice, but you don't need to feel much guilt to no longer needing his services.

 

[MaxDSP]

Just stop processing his paycheck...the situation will resolve itself on it's own, avoid confrontation whenever possible.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Originally posted by: MaxDSP
Just stop processing his paycheck...the situation will resolve itself on it's own, avoid confrontation whenever possible.

:thumbsup:[

 

[spacelord]

Consulting is Consulting.. the jobs come and go. Its the territory, thats why they get the rates they do.

Hopefully he's a good honest consultant, but while you are breaking the news to him, have someone else changing all the admin passwords... just in case he decides to be malicious. A few good keystrokes and you'd be cooked... I really doubt that would happen because you could be an excellent reference for him since he worked for your company for so many years.

 

[mzkhadir]

through your fax system or IM. It will be more fun that way.

 

[Electric Amish]

Get the eff out.

 

[boredhokie]

First, you need to find the birthmark. If you cannot find it on his body, then it is under the hair - use a pair of scissors while he is sleeping to find it. It will be an arrangement of three 6's. Once you are sure, then you must take him to hollowed ground; a church! Lay him upon the alter and stab him with the first sword, it is the most important, as it takes the life. The next swords shall go in at a radiating angle upwards. They take the spirit. Let his blood spill upon the floors of God!

Or just call him up or something.

 

[ISAslot]

First move him to a storage closet.

 

[mzkhadir]

Originally posted by: boredhokie
First, you need to find the birthmark. If you cannot find it on his body, then it is under the hair - use a pair of scissors while he is sleeping to find it. It will be an arrangement of three 6's. Once you are sure, then you must take him to hollowed ground; a church! Lay him upon the alter and stab him with the first sword, it is the most important, as it takes the life. The next swords shall go in at a radiating angle upwards. They take the spirit. Let his blood spill upon the floors of God!

Or just call him up or something.

lol

 

[akubi]

Originally posted by: ISAslot
First move him to a storage closet.

hahaha
:thumbsup:

 

[Taggart]

Take his stapler and move him to the basement.

 

[RagingBITCH]

"We've decided to go the MS route. We appreciate your help over the past 4 years but unfortunately we no longer have a position for you here."

EOS.

Such is life in IT.

 

[FoBoT]

who is going to do the microsoft stuff? i am missing what he was doing all that time that will no longer need to be done

 

[mzkhadir]

was he hired by your company or an outside company ?

outside company would be easier to explain and fire him.

by your company, you have to go through paperwork.

 

[NuroMancer]

As a consultant, he doesn't have the same expectation for job security. He has to know the day is comming. Depending on the guy's attitiude just take him out for a beer and let him know. Or, if you think he'll go mean, change the admin password and use a letter.