What is the objective here?

It is never too early to ask this question. Here is an interesting experience. I had a training assignment overseas. So, my invoice included traveling expenses. I didn’t attach receipts for my taxi ride to and fro the airport in order to support my invoice. Upon the clients request to submit receipts, I informed them that I don’t have them as, though possible, it is not really common in Singapore to ask for taxi receipts and suggested that they don’t pay the taxi fares if they don’t want to.

Then they asked me to submit a new invoice without the expenses of the taxi ride. I refused to do that. I explained that my invoice is within the terms of our agreement and issuing a new invoice would actually insinuate that my first invoice was wrong, which is not the case. But I am still okay if the taxi fare is not paid.

Then it escalated. A higher ranking manager requested me to re-issue my invoice, not really accepting my reasons and suggesting not making things more difficult. I answered that I cannot change my view on the subject.

Meanwhile they came up with another solution and asked me to sign another document confirming that I don’t have the taxi fare receipts.

What are the results? I don't really worry about the payment of my invoice; however the payment is delayed by nearly a month causing a delayed salary payment on my side. Did this kill my chances of getting follow up business from them?

What is the take away from this episode?

I know that I get very edgy when I am being questioned. I am honest to the bone. When I am being questioned, I tend to feel that people don’t believe me and I tend to argue based on principles.

Maybe the poor accounts clerk, who needs to process my invoice, just didn’t have the authority to pay without having the receipt and was trying his best to solve the issue.

Of course, after a few emails were exchanged, the positions harden making it a bit more difficult for both sides to change their stance.

Conclusion. What would have happened if, upon receiving the first email asking for the taxi fare receipts, I would have asked myself ‘WHAT IS MY OBJECTIVE HERE?’

The answer would be, my objective is to increase my chances of follow-up business and get my money fast. Having that in mind, I could have found another approach keeping both sides happy and increasing the chances to achieve my objective.

So, it’s never too early to ask WHAT IS MY OBJECTIVE HERE?