I made a really embarrassing cock-up - what should I do now?

[BigBoris]

Whilst I am going slowly out of my mind in the run-up to Christmas, I have realised I have to confront a cock-up I made earlier in the year. Essentially, I had a phone call with a client that for some unknown reason I totally blanked from my mind the moment it finished.

As far as I know I have NEVER done anything like this before - I just think I was ridiculously busy at work and home and somehow my brain went into overload. I don't even remember the call now! But realise I must have had it as I came across some notes on the subject. Anyway, after finding these notes, I realised that I had been chasing the client up for information that I now realise he had already provided. What a dick. He hasn't contacted me since. But I am hoping to bid for another project with someone else in the same firm.

What do do? Should I call him? And apologise? Leave it? Screeeeeaaaamm! What would you do? It makes me seems so utterly mad, that's the problem!

I do this sort of thing all the time, and people do it to me! It's never as big a deal as you think it is . Assuming you chased politely (I'm sure you did!) and he didn't come back to you to say he'd already provided it then I'm sure you won't have offended him - probably just became less of a priority to him for whatever reason.

I would send him a Christmas card/email saying you're looking forward to working with him in the New Year and then follow it up with a phone call in January to 'catch up' and see if there's anything you can help him with re his project.

Really pushme? That's comforting to hear! I think I will try an email and see how that goes! I am moving job, so have an excuse to send over the new address.

Me too! I've done this kind of thing loads (everyone does!) and still manage to keep the respect of my colleagues and clients. I think what's important is that you don't bluster or try to push it off on someone else - people can smell that kind of bullshit a mile off, and it only hurts your credibility. Just get in touch, apologise for having to go through it again, admit that it was a busy time and you've lost your notes on the discussion, and would they mind...