A few weeks ago Advertising Age magazine’s cover article
was entitled “How To Be A Better Client”. There were some fundamental realities
outlined in the piece. It was not so much as a scolding of one’s customers but
a re-affirmation of what is required to a transaction to truly be structured as
a win-win. How often as service providers we find ourselves wanting to please
the client so much that we bend our own rules of quality to do so.
A vendor of ours has a small banner above his desk that
reads
Speed – Quality – Price…Pick Two.
However, whatever two the client picks there is a certain
amount of engagement that may be necessary on their part. Including, but not
limited to;
* indentifying the decision makers
* providing clear and concise instructions
* timely feedback and
* prompt payment.
We all know, it is both difficult and time consuming to
win new clients.
Vendors do not want to jeopardize the effort it takes to
do so.
But they also are only as good as their last job.
If you are that (last job), work together with them and
they may just surprise you by allowing you all three banner choices.
