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Further
Reading ...
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Cultivating The Trust Factor - Robert Moment
In today’s highly competitive economy, it is difficult to maintain a significant market advantage based on your professional skills alone. Developing a trusting relationship with your clients is key to your success. No matter what business you are...
What’s Love Got To Do With It? - Diane Hughes
Ask successful online business owners, and they’ll quickly tell you there are certain things that are imperative in order to reach your business goals. Some of the common responses to the question "How do you thrive online?" are: dedication,...
Professional Intervention in the Family Business - Don A Schwerzler and David Jones
Professional Intervention in the Family-Owned Business Running a successful family business is substantially more difficult than running a non-family business. There are many contributing factors. Conflict between generations as to the strategic...
6 WAYS TO BLAST YOUR E-BUSINESS TO THE MOON!! - George Carr
#1. Get into a business that has exclusive rights to sell products that will in the near future be in high demand in the world's marketplace and provides you with a top notch website. Getting into a business that produce such products reduces...
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A Happy Professional Chooses Clients
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Written By:
Dorene Lehavi
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Many professionals do not refuse clients out of fear of losing money. However, there is another side to the coin -- the high price of the negative effect of accepting everyone who walks in the door.
One happy professional I know, a lawyer, always has a clear view of both his service and his ideal client. Contrary to the conventional notion never to turn away a client, his laser beam approach about what he offers and for whom has brought him so much business he is now in the process of hiring associates to handle the work.
He has a procedure he follows to determine which clients he accepts and which he doesn’t. Everyone is afforded an interview during which the client outlines their expectations. As a patent attorney, he describes the process, the cost and the reality that after a very long period of time, probably years, of living with the case, it may not work out as they hoped. He and the client ascertain if they can live with that kind of commitment.
Next, he clarifies his billing policy stating that nothing will move forward, no filing, litigation, or act of any kind without advance payment. Phone calls are billed in 12 minute increments and calls will be returned within 24 hours. He won’t tolerate foul language or any kind of abuse of his staff. At the end of this interview, it is usually pretty clear if he and the client will be a good fit.
Though my example is a lawyer, professionals in any field can benefit from this type of clarity when taking on new clients.
What can you do to make your practice and life less stressful and more enjoyable when it comes to clients? Here is a suggestion: Make a list of your clients. Design a scale from 1 to 5 or another that makes sense to you. For example, rate polite and patient, reasonable expectations, provides needed - continued below ...
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information in a timely fashion, constant phone calls during late hours and weekends, abusive behavior.
Which clients are pleasant? Which are high maintenance, have high expectations, cause you grief because of unrealistic demands on your time and attention? Which pay on time and which are in arrears? Which clients are worth your time, aggravation and effect they have on your health and enjoyment of what you do?
Note the details that constitute a pleasant client or a miserable one. Use the information you glean from this exercise to choose new clients more intelligently. Perhaps find ways to bring present client projects to closure or make a referral to someone else in your network.
Additionally, can you honestly say you are the best professional for all of your clients or did you accept some of them because of your policy to accept everyone?
Rate yourself and your staff on how well you meet reasonable expectations. Ask for feedback about your service from clients you value. Act on it.
Holding yourself and your clients to a high level of integrity will serve you well in attracting the right ones to you and you will benefit in other ways: lowered stress, more time for yourself and family, more pleasant work environment, more efficiency, and a happier staff.
About the Author
Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D. is principal of Next Level Business and Professional Coaching. She coaches Professionals and Business Partners. You can get a free sample of her ebook, Stop Doing What You Hate…Start Doing What You Love at http://www.StartDoingWhatYouLove.com. Contact Dr. Lehavi at Dorene@CoachingforYourNextLevel.com or on the web at http://www.CoachingforYourNextLevel.com
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Ok, Great, But HOW? - Keith E Bryan
Welcome to the world of online business. This is the time to get started! Join now and get in before it’s too late! Earn $75K this year with your own online business! Ok, great, but HOW? I know what you’re thinking. If its anything like...
Getting Started Online THE RIGHT WAY Guide - Part 3 of 4 - Natalie Williams
This Getting Started Article is in 4 parts. This is Part 3 of 4 To view Parts 1, 2 and 4 please do an Author search on Go Articles for Natalie Williams The full, hyperlinked version of this article can be found at...
Ready to Do Marketing Full Time? 10 Important Points to Consider - Olga Farber Becker
So, your income from your marketing efforts starts to be somewhat tangible. Or you just see that you could grow your income much more than if you keep your job - focusing on your marketing activities only. Count me in. ;) Here are several...
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