How to let go of an IT consultant?

[Hammer]

disable his access card friday afternoon.

 

[YetioDoom]

Tell him ASAP so he can look for other work.

 

[StageLeft]

That's gonna suck, but serves that noob for wasting his time with non-ms garbage.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: 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?

change the locks...
and put a sign out front that says "No penguins"...

 

[PingSpike]

Change the admin passwords.

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That's gonna suck, but serves that noob for wasting his time with non-ms garbage.

the irony in that statement!

Let me guess, you are a MS fanboy?

 

[mzkhadir]

one of the companies that I used to work took the name out of the address book and that how you know you didn't work there anymore.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That's gonna suck, but serves that noob for wasting his time with non-ms garbage.

the irony in that statement!

Let me guess, you are a MS fanboy?

I am sure even you will agree that both MS and linux have their strengths. I have both in my work environment and know how to admin both rather well. The users like 2k/XP. I really like exchange on 2003 as well as SQL. However, apache rules on the web side on linux.

Questioning someone why they are going the MS route may make you a Linux fanboy in some people's eyes.

Back on topic...

I would just tell him. If you really like him as a friend or something along those lines, then take him out for a beer and be straight with him. He will understand.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

The IT consulting hay days have been over for some time now, see if there is anywhere else you can use him or anyone else you know that could use his skillset before you let him go.

And by the way, good choice for going with Windows

 

[Yossarian]

make a cobra-like gesture with your hand and shout "YOU'RE FIRED!"

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: 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.

That's the thing with consulting, expect VERY good pay if you have results to back it up, however once the project is over, if you're work is done then it could be some time till you find more work. I too hope he was prepared, I know I would have seen this coming!

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That's gonna suck, but serves that noob for wasting his time with non-ms garbage.

the irony in that statement!

Let me guess, you are a MS fanboy?

I am sure even you will agree that both MS and linux have their strengths. I have both in my work environment and know how to admin both rather well. The users like 2k/XP. I really like exchange on 2003 as well as SQL. However, apache rules on the web side on linux.

Questioning someone why they are going the MS route may make you a Linux fanboy in some people's eyes.

Back on topic...

I would just tell him. If you really like him as a friend or something along those lines, then take him out for a beer and be straight with him. He will understand.

i do know that both Microsoft and Linux each have their strengths...don't get me wrong

but read closely what skoorb wrote. By calling him a fan boy I was pretty much implying he strictly uses one type of solution, no matter what situation he is under. Besides, Skoorb was calling IT consultant a noob for dealing with non-ms garbage. And you assault me for being a Linux fanboy?

and the reason I was asking why they are going for the MS route is pure curiousity. If it's better for their business, why not? If they are doing so because someone told them they had to do it that way, then I'd feel bad for them. Why change route when you are happy with your current results?

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That's gonna suck, but serves that noob for wasting his time with non-ms garbage.

the irony in that statement!

Let me guess, you are a MS fanboy?

I am sure even you will agree that both MS and linux have their strengths. I have both in my work environment and know how to admin both rather well. The users like 2k/XP. I really like exchange on 2003 as well as SQL. However, apache rules on the web side on linux.

Questioning someone why they are going the MS route may make you a Linux fanboy in some people's eyes.

Back on topic...

I would just tell him. If you really like him as a friend or something along those lines, then take him out for a beer and be straight with him. He will understand.

i do know that both Microsoft and Linux each have their strengths...don't get me wrong

but read closely what skoorb wrote. By calling him a fan boy I was pretty much implying he strictly uses one type of solution, no matter what situation he is under.

and the reason I was asking why they are going for the MS route is pure curiousity. If it's better for their business, why not? If they are doing so because someone told them they had to do it that way, then I'd feel bad for them. Why change route when you are happy with your current results?

Unless you have the need and the $$ to run an exchange server, I set up mixed networks. Windows workstations and all the apps they come with, and unix servers/ DCs. The best of both worlds, IMO

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: skyking

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That's gonna suck, but serves that noob for wasting his time with non-ms garbage.

the irony in that statement!

Let me guess, you are a MS fanboy?

I am sure even you will agree that both MS and linux have their strengths. I have both in my work environment and know how to admin both rather well. The users like 2k/XP. I really like exchange on 2003 as well as SQL. However, apache rules on the web side on linux.

Questioning someone why they are going the MS route may make you a Linux fanboy in some people's eyes.

Back on topic...

I would just tell him. If you really like him as a friend or something along those lines, then take him out for a beer and be straight with him. He will understand.

i do know that both Microsoft and Linux each have their strengths...don't get me wrong

but read closely what skoorb wrote. By calling him a fan boy I was pretty much implying he strictly uses one type of solution, no matter what situation he is under.

and the reason I was asking why they are going for the MS route is pure curiousity. If it's better for their business, why not? If they are doing so because someone told them they had to do it that way, then I'd feel bad for them. Why change route when you are happy with your current results?

Unless you have the need and the $$ to run an exchange server, I set up mixed networks. Windows workstations and all the apps they come with, and unix servers/ DCs. The best of both worlds, IMO

mixed environments are pretty much the best i also have mixed environments on my home network (linux, unix, and windows). if you are really strapped for cash though, you might not absolutely *need* windows workstations. then again, it all depends on what apps that you need to work with.

 

[skyking]

It always falls down to two things wherever I go.
1) user comfort. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, but sometimes it is so not worth it
2) Passing around docs. If it were not for excel and word, a non- MS office would be doable. As soon as I study the business traffic and see spreadsheets and word docs getting shared with other businesses, and I know that idea is cooked.

 

[dabuddha]

How to let go of an IT consultant?

Open your hand.

 

[StageLeft]

but read closely what skoorb wrote. By calling him a fan boy I was pretty much implying he strictly uses one type of solution, no matter what situation he is under.

You'd be right. All of our clients use Microsoft and have no interest in implementing non-MS solutions.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: 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?

"Step into my office.... cause you're fvckin' fired!"

 

[whistleclient]

Send him an E-vite called "Come to my 'You're Fired!' Party".

only invite him.

 

[Fritzo]

"You know how you're a contractor?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, your contract is up."

You could also go the "The company has decided to go gay..." route.

 

[jjones]

I suggest that one night you just move your business to another town and avoid the whole messy situation altogether. Or you could just tell him he's fired.

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

but read closely what skoorb wrote. By calling him a fan boy I was pretty much implying he strictly uses one type of solution, no matter what situation he is under.

You'd be right. All of our clients use Microsoft and have no interest in implementing non-MS solutions.

it is really their loss if they have no desire to be open minded about what solutions to use.

To strictly rely on only one vendor for solutions puts them at the vendor's mercy.

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: 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?

Since this is a consultant. Tell him on Friday his services are no longer needed. When he shows up on Monday tell him again, when he shows up on Tuesday tell him again. Repeat with hopes it will finally sink in.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: Skoorb

but read closely what skoorb wrote. By calling him a fan boy I was pretty much implying he strictly uses one type of solution, no matter what situation he is under.

You'd be right. All of our clients use Microsoft and have no interest in implementing non-MS solutions.

it is really their loss if they have no desire to be open minded about what solutions to use.

To strictly rely on only one vendor for solutions puts them at the vendor's mercy.

True, but MS is not fly-by-night, so you know it's not going anywhere quickly. Any time you implement something large you're at the mercy of the creator of that software anyway, so you can either be at MS' mercy or somebody elses!

 

[imported_Phil]

Tell him that you need to make a redundancy and his name was the first out of the hat.