This being the first real contact with the client on their own turf there were some fundamental things that were being shaped and now is the time to reflect on all that.
Clients are also HUMAN
First of all the fear and uncertainity that surrounded the "Client side" has now evoporated. Now i know they are as flesh and bloood as they we in India are. (and as susceptible to make mistakes). They also work under constraints as we do. (I think not having CVS is one such thing. How much i wish they had it!!! Alas )
Honesty
Secondly, you have to be honest (old saying) but if you are not they will see through you and will not like it for sure. I have seen times where i have made mistakes and there have been questions to which i did not have clear cut answers and best strategy at that time is to say the truth.
You do not know and if you have an idea you can say that i guess "GUESS" this might be the solution and if they want i can further dig for the correct solution.
Time commitments
Third if you commit a Time. (Be sure to deliver it before that time i mean down to the last min if you delay by a single min. YOur client (Japanese more so) usaually get restless and think there must be some grave issue that is holding you back). Best thing is to double the ETA (expected time of availability) and add 10% to it. YOu will be surprised how you really end up using all that time. that you thought you asked E X T R A.
Confident
I have seen some junior guy making mistakes under pressure from situation. As a DBA or sys admin you have to hold your nerves steady and do the things. Confidence in your actions also makes the client at ease. but that is something that comes from experience and i do not think you can fake that.
NinCompoops
I also had to deal with a real NinComPoop whos qualities are known by everyone. and i think that there are always some people who are like this. The idea is to know how to get work done bypassing such individuals. THe Best thing is to keep personal relations with good people and then the whole ride can be a smoooth one, as people take care of each other during the whole project at various phases be it SIT UAT PROD or be it some backup procedures or be it .. some irritating problem that is only happinng in prod and can not be replicated in other 2 envs.
Documentation,
I think the best way to prepare documentation is to do it along with the work you are doing. This is something that Roger Sanders taught me. Keep a running log of documentation and whenever you find time just make it neat. YOu will be surprised at the number of things that come up showing the various nitty gritties of managing the system instead of one doc that you prepare at the end of the project when you want to rush home. i am working on that and am quite pleased with the outcome. Hope the client likes the outcome too.
Your own health
As a sick dog you are no good. So eat well. and get adjusted to the lifestyle.
I had a terrible time adjusting to the food habits as Veg Food is sooo difficult to find here. But eventually now after these 3.5 months i have managed using some Ready to Eat products and some indian restaurants that are nearby. Also managed to learn some survival cooking.
Now a days the production is up and running. so it is more of a maintainance role that i am playing with some migration and Disaster Recovery set ups creation. The end date of this is 13th Feb 07 and there is a really BIG surprise waiting for me at India. I can hardly wait to go back.
Surprise Gift for new Year waiting at home
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