I saw this posted on a job board today for a web designer looking for a PHP coder.
“I need someone organized and responsive above all else. I’m talking the type of guy (or girl) who checks email every 20 minutes.”
I thought it was funny… because I’m diligently trying to reduce the number of interruptions to my workflow by only initiating and responding to contact via email, chat, and phone calls during specific periods of the day. You might be ‘responsive’, but you can’t check your email every 20 minutes and be productive. I think this guy is looking for a support tech or project manager.
The problem with working with this type of client in this way is that it never forces them to become more organized themselves. I have burned out on these sorts of babysitter relationships before… and try to be very careful not to take them on anymore.