[Answer] A Classmate Has a Factory Building Under Construction. How Should I Go About Taking on the Project?

[Answer] A Classmate Has a Factory Building Under Construction. How Should I Go About Taking on the Project?

I think this question can be considered on two levels.

First, from the perspective of dealing with people. Construction contracting is like any other matter involving people: full communication is a necessary condition for smooth execution. People’s thoughts are hidden from one another, and relying on guesswork or assuming the other person simply understands your intentions will more often turn into suspicion and mistrust. Therefore, if the other party has not taken the initiative to communicate, then I think you should be relatively proactive.

Don’t just look at what the other person says. A verbal promise may be sincere, perfunctory, or hiding other considerations. Is it your classmate’s own factory building, or is he only playing a certain role in the project? How much decision-making power does he actually have? What is your relationship like—are you just ordinary classmates, or close friends? Does he understand your working style and methods? Have you worked together before? All of these factors may affect how things develop. So I think that when it comes to dealing with people, thorough communication and knowing both yourself and the other party are the most important things.

Second, from the perspective of handling the matter itself. How will this project be carried out—through open bidding, invited bidding, or as a private project where your classmate can decide on his own? Are there other potential competitors? What advantages does the qualified company you brought in have in terms of executing the project? (That may sound a bit doctrinaire, but “advantages” can also mean overall advantages. Besides the company’s own strength, personal connections and relationships can also be intangible competitive strengths.) Only after understanding how the project will move forward is it possible to make the next decision and push things ahead.

I think the practical next step, if you are not clear about things at the moment, is to ask your classmate how this project is planned to proceed and how you should get involved. I think that would be helpful both in terms of dealing with people and dealing with the matter itself.