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Click to view DomainDiva's profile Mogul DomainDiva 1,731 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
15. Re: Sometimes you have to walk away Apr 24, 2008 12:46 PM
in response to: Iwrite
I have always tried to be the kind of customer that I want my customers to be. In other words: yes it is a one another world and we should treat others (regardless of their circumstances) the way we would like to be treated. I do not believe that there are certain 'classes' of people when it comes to this axiom.

Do we as business customers of another business always insist on everything being perfect? Do we try to nickle and dime every penny from a supplier squeezing their profit margin?

If you have a customer you see is heading towards problems or issues, do you discuss those with them before making a decision on whether or not to fire the client? (Which I have done as well...).

I don't know if our view "who our customers are" should evolve or the idea of "what would I as a small business owner want another small business owner to do for me" and then go from there. A lot of the problems I see in the client-customer relationship stem from ego..someone always wants to be the dominant player....I tell my clients up front that I am a team player. I will do what it takes to get the job done and I will always communicate with them so that when things do get messy (they always do on leases and returns) everyone on both sides will have the necessary information and tools to resolve the issue.

I have also been in situations where I have represented both sides at the same time...at the request of both parties....that's where you can really put the 'one another' axiom into practice.
Click to view Iwrite's profile Mogul Iwrite 1,100 posts since
Dec 29, 2007
16. Re: Sometimes you have to walk away Apr 24, 2008 1:22 PM
in response to: DomainDiva
Actually, I am still talking to the client I had to fire. I am answering their questions and helping them find someone who is a better fit. And I am doing it for free. I want them to succeed. I would give you my reasoning for this but I don't feel like losing another post for it being inappropriate.

I agree we talk and place ourselves in their positions. But as my agency grows and the relationship with clients grow, some change may occur. I have seen clients outgrow agencies and vice versa.

Here are two quick examples:
  • The agency thought after several measurable successes the trust factor would grow. It didn't, and working with this client has become a drain on both the resources and the people of the agency. It is time for a change.
  • A client started the relationship cautiously but over time came to believe in the work of the agency, but the agency failed to recognize this and continues to play it safe - even after the client has said they want more. It is time for a change.
Whatever it is ego or maturity, there is a problem that after talking still exists. In advertising, your agency needs your trust. Without it they will not show you anything different or new. And in the end that only hurts your business. I'm going to post a question later this week that goes deeper into this.

Click to view DomainDiva's profile Mogul DomainDiva 1,731 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
17. Re: Sometimes you have to walk away Apr 24, 2008 2:42 PM
in response to: Iwrite
You may be surprised at how many times I have not posted for the same reasons you pointed out as well. I have to eat my own dog food as well (to stay objective in a public forum) ... as Guy Kawasaki says.

Trust is probably the biggest issue in any client relationship since in the end it really boils down to dollars and cents in your world - advertising (hope I got it right) and aviation in my world.

One thing I have found though is that when the trust and longevity are there...the possibilities and 'good things resulting' are endless and of great benefit to all.
Click to view clnshirtz's profile Mogul clnshirtz 23 posts since
Feb 8, 2008
18. Re: Sometimes you have to walk away Apr 24, 2008 3:05 PM
in response to: Iwrite
in a high volume business like ours, you just take the good with the bad. you never know if your good customers will never refer you and hte people who you don't like, well, maybe if you please them, they are the type to go on and on about how great you are.

it's tough out there, people expect a lot and dont' want to pay for it

that's why we are not doing much delivery/pick-up anymore (that plus gas prices)
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