In a tough spot...need advise

[Plo Strax-Avix]

I'm in a bit of a dilemma...I'm hoping someone can share their views and better, their experience if they've been in a similar situation...

I was collaborating with someone in another forum on a project. Everything went smoothly and the project is 99% complete, just some minor loose ends to tie up.

And then he's run into a spade of bad luck; and on top of that a family member is ailing. This has affected him quite severely, and he had to even take time off work to deal with it.

Needless to say, familily and personal issues comes first, so I've been patient in allowing him time to deal with it.

However the project is still not concluded, and customers are getting impatient about it. I've been trying to keep things under control by letting people know that my partner is having some personal issues, without going into any detail, and ask everyone to be patient. Things are still calm now, but I wonder what will I have to do when push comes to shove? Individually each customer only paid a small amount(less then $10), but collectively it comes to almost $300. This amount has been paid to my partner as part of a bigger order, although the responsibility to get the item produced and shipped lies with me.

I do not want to doubt my partner's integrity, as he's come through for me every time, with amounts far larger then this. But how do I get him to get back onto the project and get it finished, without sounding heartless?

On one hand I have a professional responsibility to my customers, while on the other I have a friend who is at the bottom of an emotional pit, and nothing I say or do can make things any better for him, and the last thing he want to deal with is some props.

What do I do?

[dalailala]

First, I'm not a professional counselor! Second, I don't know you or your partner, of course, but here goes...

You might just get together with him or give him a call to chat for a bit and see if he feels ready to come back to work, even if only on a part time basis. Keeping busy with something not problem-related might make him feel better. Sometimes you need some distance from a problem to clear your head.

Good luck!

-Lala

[Plo Strax-Avix]

Thanks for the advise Lala, appreciate it.

Normally, that'd be the first thing I'd have done. However we're literally half a world away, and I don't even have his phone number. I figured what good is his phone number when we have the internet. I did however asked him for his phone number when we wrapped up the largest portion of the project, and was going to call him to thank him personally, but he never gave it to me. This was before he told me about his problems.

I've been sending him gentle email reminders to let him know things still need to be wrapped up, but never got a reply.

[Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi]

i guess just ask him and see how things are going with him, try to ease him back into it, i agree with lala, the work will keep his mind of of his problems.

[Leda EmBorr]

Sometimes sending emails can cause the person to avoid the issue even more. Is there anyone else you can comission to help with his end of the project until he pulls himself together? Sometimes it can be a great relief when something is taken off you hands that you really couldn't have handles at the moment, for whatever reason (you, meaning him).

[Leda EmBorr]

He should be business minded enough to know that that might be the best course of action, even if it means less money for him in the long run. Customers would be satisfied, and your partnership wouldn't be jeopardised.

[Starkindler (The Naked Jedi)]

I would also seek to contact him and offer him a choice of completing the project or letting you either do it yourself or finding another to help fulfill this one.
If you know his name and have a valid E-mail addy there are ways to track down his address and phone number. I had to do that with one of our staff at my first site.

[Plo Strax-Avix]

His end of the project is just to send me the rest of the payment, so I can pay the supplier and get the parts made...

Ican't even discuss anything with him because I don't know how to ask him. So far my emails (since he told me about his situation) have been words of encouragement, and concern, while gently reminding him that when he's ready, there're things waiting to be completed. But so far his sparce reply has been very general and only gives brief update on his situation, without any mention of the project, or other issues I brought up in earlier emails...

[Leda EmBorr]

saberfreak said:

His end of the project is just to send me the rest of the payment, so I can pay the supplier and get the parts made...

Ican't even discuss anything with him because I don't know how to ask him.

Sometimes you can never know what to say, really. Sometimes you just have to ask, no matter how uncomfortable it feels.

Maybe part of his problem is financial? Could be why he's not responding. Maybe he's having trouble telling you he can't complete his end of the deal. If that's the case, better you find out sooner than later.

Sometimes it's easier not to respond, than to have to admit you can't finish what you started.

[Starkindler (The Naked Jedi)]

good words from Leda.

[Plo Strax-Avix]

Thanks everyone for the advise. I still don't have a solution but I've now revealed to the customers the reason for the delay, without revealing too much detail.

I hope the news will somehow reach my partner's ear and prompt him to look into completing the project as soon as he is able to.

I'll keep everyone posted if there's any new development.

[Leda EmBorr]

Gook luck with this, Plo.

Communication is key.