When Customer is NOT the King.
“Customer is King.”
This is an age old saying that you must have heard of.
Oftentimes, in order to serve the client (customer) well, we act on the misinterpretation of this quote.
We often begin to give a client what he wants, when he wants and how he wants things, to keep him happy, well, at least temporarily. We often do this because of our own fears of lack of faith.
Although I fully respect the above quote in the broader sense, to help you understand my perspective, let’s use one of my own:
“Client is a childish girlfriend.”
You love your childish girlfriend and think the best for her. But at a lot of times, she needs something but wants something else.
You have to be understanding towards her, yet you have to make sure you are able to sustain giving her the best everytime. And that may sometimes require you to say NO.
You have to listen to her but you have to make sure she listens to you as well.
You have to realise that in your relationship both of you are equals and both of you complement each other. Give respect, take respect.
You sometimes have to tell yourself and tell her that you are thinking and doing the best for her and what she wants is not what she sometimes needs.
At the end of the day, a relationship works best when both sides are happy, feel respected and heard.
Don’t get frustrated when your client gets angry, throws a fit, assigns you an unreasonable deadline or gives you a revision that sounds unrealistic to you.
Assuming you are well prepared, well researched and gave your 100%:
Smile, listen to him, explain your side of the story, understand, and be understood. Sometimes you will go an extra mile for her and sometimes she will too.
We are responsible primarily for two things when it comes to clients:
- Delivering on promised KPIs.
- Handling their anxieties.
Believe. Love. Communicate.
Thank you.
(Image Credit: bloncampus)
