The Client Makes the Project
Do you ever have a work day that is so productive and fun you can’t believe how quickly the hours blew by? Sure there are several factors that impact your day, but there is a direct correlation between client interaction and your happiness at work. When you work with great clients, you’re content. And conversely, when clients aren’t so awesome, your day isn’t either.
A mentor and coach, when we first started working together, said to me, “We don’t work with assholes,” and at first I thought he was joking. He was not. There was no tolerance for clients who treated our staff poorly, and on more than one occasion a client was fired. This has always stuck with me, and to this day I make sure this is part of my own client evaluation.
I love helping my clients solve problems. And there is no substitute for the feeling I get when a client expresses their happiness with our progress on their project. Having a client who truly appreciates your hard work makes a project that much more enjoyable.
You won’t love every client or project - we all know that. But, you can follow these guidelines to ensure you work with clients that will bring you, and your team, joy and happiness every day:
Maintain Trust: Trust is a two-way street. As much as your client must trust you, you also need to trust your client. The client is trusting you to guide them through the project, provide solid recommendations, and positively impact their business. At the same time, you are relying on the client to provide accurate information and direction that will likely impact the success of the project.
Set Realistic Expectations: Of course you want to exceed your clients’ expectations. First thing’s first. Establish expectations straight away. If your client has expectations you believe are out of reach, work with the client to set more realistic guidelines. Be transparent, give clear timelines for the project, and set milestone check-ins to keep the project on track.
Communicate: It is impossible to successfully complete a project if your client will not provide feedback in a timely manner. And, your client won’t be happy if you don’t share project updates and pertinent details. Maintaining open communications with your clients will put you on the path to success. Each client is different. Set communication check-points with your client up-front to better understand how often they want to receive updates.
Keep an Open Mind: You won’t agree on everything. Keep an open mind, and remind your client to do the same. Sometimes the craziest ideas end up working, and sometimes they don’t. Work with clients who are willing to try new things and aren’t afraid to adjust mid-stream.
Don’t Forget Your Core Values: Always keep your core values top-of-mind. If a client does not align with your core values, they’re probably not the right fit for your business.
We’re always looking for clients we can surprise and delight. If your business is in need of a new communications strategy, updated content, or social media guidance, check us out.