Peripheral signals

This week I am starting work with a new client in a new country, something that is always exciting.  Like most consultants I book my own travel but leave accommodation arrangements to the client as this saves me having to understand the geography of a strange city.

Having the client book the hotel also affords a subtle little window on how the project is being positioned internally:-

Better hotel = better positioning

I don't really care where I sleep so long as the room is clean, quiet and secure.  However, because accommodation is one of those little decisions that is often made at quite a high level within a company, I will get that sinking feeling if I'm put up in a 3-star in the wrong part of town.  If the client is trying to claw back a few euros on accommodation before the job has even started then my value proposition is under question.

I accept that I might be being paranoid.  Maybe no one ever stays anywhere above 3-star, in which case my fears are unfounded.  If not, then a very negative signal about the project is being communicated to the broader organisation in a very public way.

Peripheral signals like this are obviously an imperfect guide but still they have some value.