How To
The Art Of Managing Clients
Clients. You know the ones who call you in the middle of the night or the ones who just forget you exist? From making you jump like a jack rabbit everytime your phone rings to making you wonder where they are, clients quite literally run your world. There are so many times you want to pull your hair out and yell your lungs out because they are either always up your case or just do not seem to care about their product enough. If you’re feeling alone in this myriad of constant confusion, then do not worry. We have your back. Here are the different types of clients and how you can deal with them without really losing your cool.
1. The “I want this yesterday” ones
Cannot start this list without these type of clients. You know, the ones who tell you about something today and expected it to be done yesterday? They work all day, everyday and expect you to as well. You would think they would stop working at 3 A.M. in the morning, but no. They will think of something they just want done then and will rush to call you without thinking of the time or anything.
While the effort they put into their work is commendable, it isn’t really a healthy lifestyle pattern for you. The solution here is painstakingly clear: set boundaries. Learn to say no. Switch your phone off and do NOT run to pick up every time you get a call in the middle of the night. Let the client know that during work hours, they may have your undivided attention, but your personal time is yours and yours alone!
2. The “I don’t know what I want, but this is not it” ones
These are the ones who know they have a specific idea in mind, but can never EVER tell you exactly what it is they want. They say one thing on call, but have a completely different input on mail, creating constant confusion for you and your team while doing this back and forth! Just when you send them something you think they will approve, they do a 180 degree turn and reject everything. NOT a fun client to work with, right?
The best way to deal with clients like this is to have everything on email the first time around. Send minutes of every conversation and make sure you get the client to acknowledge the mail. In order to ensure a smooth sailing discussion and timely completion of the task, take executive control in your hands and reject major course changing ideas. This helps in letting the client know you are at the top of your game and know exactly how to deliver what is required. A little time consuming, but an extremely effective workflow process!
3. The “I don’t care. You know what you are doing” ones
There is something to be said about clients like these. They give you the project and wash their hands off the entire approach. They just do not care about what you are doing, the kind of strategies you have and the kind of work being done. However, they will suddenly wake up and realise nothing is going according to their plan, thereby throwing you off course completely.
To avoid confusion from clients like this, make sure you have regular meetings. Ask for regular feedbacks on what you send to them and make sure you have everything on record. However, if they still do not listen to you and if the client is an important one, let your superiors know what is happening and take complete reins over the project. The effort you put is going to be long, but the end result is definitely worth the effort!
4. The “I don’t know what’s happening, the world is on fire” ones
This client thinks everything is an emergency for them. They think their house is on fire all the time and nothing you are doing is right. They are the kind who think their world will fall apart if you don’t do the work you are supposed to be doing and make your life difficult. If you are not at the top of your game, then nothing will go right.
To deal with these clients, make sure you keep them updated on what is going on and tell them what is happening with their project. This will help in letting them know their project is okay and you are there for them if they really do need you.
5. The “I am always going to doubt you, no matter what” ones
Sometimes, you deal with clients who work with you because they have no other choice. They fall under the skeptical radar and will always question you on what you are doing, till they think you have proven your worth to them! To make matters worse, they poke fires into things they have no business tampering with and make working with them nothing short of a painful experience. They think they can do the job better than you and will waste no time in telling you so.
Be straightforward with these clients. Tell them things point blank, without sugar coating the good news or the bad news. Think of the bigger picture, but also remember the process of achieving the end goal is important to these clients. Reply to questions they think are important and always keep them updated on what is going on with their project.
Repeat after me. You love your clients. They may drive you just a little over the edge, but they still give you new challenges on a regular basis. It is only when you have to deal with them on a regular basis is when you forget how much you cannot do without them in life. If you have other clients we missed out on that fall under the difficult bracket, comment and let us know!
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