Fall In Love With Your Client
Delivering any service can is tricky. Let's agree that when your service involves “Interacting Human to Human” the risk of drama, dissatisfaction, turmoil, and frustration becomes real (and quite likely) very quickly.
Hopefully, the intent for your service is to develop a life-long relationship with your client. At least a relationship that over-accomplishes their goals and sets them up for lasting success.
“Every project is an opportunity to learn, to figure out problems and challenges, to invent and reinvent.” David Rockwell
FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR CLIENT
It is tough to do great things without understanding and caring about the “why or the who.” Delivering a service is no exception to this. Without understanding “why and who,” you and your client run the risk of a complete miss on the outcome.
When you are developing your understanding, look for something to love. Now, that’s not a person to fall in love with. It’s an idea. A core value. A promise. A goal. The team. Something that sets your client apart - - their unique value.
Looking For Love in All The Wrong Places
It's really up to you to find this information and distill it into something meaningful. The great news is we are in a digital age where information about the people, activities and organization is right there at your fingertips. You're an expert in your field. Now become an expert on your client.
Examples of sources you should be reviewing might include:
Google news search
Review social media
Review LinkedIn page
Review BLOG
Check competitors
Review website
Yelp search
Watch webinars
Annual Report
You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want." Zig Ziglar
Be In It For Them - Not For You
Take time to get to know their unique value, and like it - - love it. Demonstrate that love by telling your client what you discovered and why it may be essential for you to help them. When telling them what you discovered, use words like “we” and “us” and “our.” Drop the I, me, my and become a part of their world.
Be clear on what your unique value is and how you will help them progress and accomplish their outcome, not your outcome. Your client's confidence in your ability to deliver will go up when they know you're a part of their team and an active participant in their vision and mission.