Do you fire a client when something goes wrong?
When you work with a client for a long time, the results of your efforts become routine—just a habit. They don’t value it that much anymore.
Then you'll both be frustrated, which could lead to a conflict.
Don't rush to say goodbye to your client.
It's time to reboot your relationship.
1. Review the goals of your collaboration
Even if you check in with the client on a regular basis, goals can become blurred over time.
And when you lose sight of your goals, you lose the foundation for sound decision-making.
Discuss with the client:
What do they expect from your work?
What value should you provide to their business?
2. What about the big goals of your client's business?
When was the last time you asked your client about their plans for the next three years?
If it was a while ago, you may be doing things that the client doesn't need anymore.
Review their big goals, then discuss what you can do to help them get there.
3. Identify bottlenecks
Is there a common problem that you face over and over again? A bottleneck on your or your client's side that constantly keeps you from moving forward?
Identify it, come up with a set of hypotheses to fix it, and make sure you and your client both understand what each of you has to do about it.
Make it a part of your work schedule.
4. Make sure the client has made a request for your work
Sometimes you see how a client can benefit from what you're doing and just start doing it.
But the client didn't request it!
They don't want it, or they don't know they need it, or their focus is elsewhere at the time.
Get back to the beginning and redefine the scope of your work.
5. What's the value they see in working with you?
They may value something completely different than you believe.
They stay with you for one thing, while you focus on something else.
Over time, the value they're getting degrades, they start to complain, and it takes you by surprise. You've been working so hard to improve your service, why aren't they happy?
Ask the client what they really value in your work.
These 5 key points will help you maintain a working client relationship, stay motivated and prevent burnout.
Grow yourself and help your clients do the same!
When you work with a client for a long time, the results of your efforts become routine—just a habit. They don’t value it that much anymore.
Then you'll both be frustrated, which could lead to a conflict.
Don't rush to say goodbye to your client.
It's time to reboot your relationship.
1. Review the goals of your collaboration
Even if you check in with the client on a regular basis, goals can become blurred over time.
And when you lose sight of your goals, you lose the foundation for sound decision-making.
Discuss with the client:
What do they expect from your work?
What value should you provide to their business?
2. What about the big goals of your client's business?
When was the last time you asked your client about their plans for the next three years?
If it was a while ago, you may be doing things that the client doesn't need anymore.
Review their big goals, then discuss what you can do to help them get there.
3. Identify bottlenecks
Is there a common problem that you face over and over again? A bottleneck on your or your client's side that constantly keeps you from moving forward?
Identify it, come up with a set of hypotheses to fix it, and make sure you and your client both understand what each of you has to do about it.
Make it a part of your work schedule.
4. Make sure the client has made a request for your work
Sometimes you see how a client can benefit from what you're doing and just start doing it.
But the client didn't request it!
They don't want it, or they don't know they need it, or their focus is elsewhere at the time.
Get back to the beginning and redefine the scope of your work.
5. What's the value they see in working with you?
They may value something completely different than you believe.
They stay with you for one thing, while you focus on something else.
Over time, the value they're getting degrades, they start to complain, and it takes you by surprise. You've been working so hard to improve your service, why aren't they happy?
Ask the client what they really value in your work.
These 5 key points will help you maintain a working client relationship, stay motivated and prevent burnout.
Grow yourself and help your clients do the same!