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best for client vs. best for you
- Thread starter velvett
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Razorguns
Well-known member
I assume by "suggestions", you mean proposals or estimates from a business-oriented standpoint.
I always think "from their side". If *they* want to think from my side -- that's their perogative. What's their primary concerns? Cost? Quality? Time? Experience? ie: What will they mull upon themselves when in private chambers?
In most relationships, i make it seem like "i'm on their side", working "with them". (in reality, i am, since i get paid a yearly fee for my services).
Now when negotiating -- it's common to start thinking of your own numbers and overhead and fiscal goals, etc. in your mind. But try to avoid your own private number crunching in your head when working with clients. It'll distract your full attention to the issue being discussed. That private number crunching can be done on your own later.
I always think "from their side". If *they* want to think from my side -- that's their perogative. What's their primary concerns? Cost? Quality? Time? Experience? ie: What will they mull upon themselves when in private chambers?
In most relationships, i make it seem like "i'm on their side", working "with them". (in reality, i am, since i get paid a yearly fee for my services).
Now when negotiating -- it's common to start thinking of your own numbers and overhead and fiscal goals, etc. in your mind. But try to avoid your own private number crunching in your head when working with clients. It'll distract your full attention to the issue being discussed. That private number crunching can be done on your own later.
Always always always what is best for them.
There is nothing worth having, no amount of money, that is worth compromising your integrity.
If you tell them what is best for them, there are two possible outcomes:
(1) They realize you are an honest broker and pull you into the loop on ever bigger issues.
(2) They take your knowledge and stop using you.
Every (1) is worth infinitely more than anything you could possibly hope to gain by acting in your own interest. And there's a big picture too. have a few (1) outcomes above, and you're playing with the big dogs pretty freaking fast. Act in your own interest without considering the clients, and the people who really make things happen won't even know who you are.
seen it. done it. lived it. and it worked pretty well.
There is nothing worth having, no amount of money, that is worth compromising your integrity.
If you tell them what is best for them, there are two possible outcomes:
(1) They realize you are an honest broker and pull you into the loop on ever bigger issues.
(2) They take your knowledge and stop using you.
Every (1) is worth infinitely more than anything you could possibly hope to gain by acting in your own interest. And there's a big picture too. have a few (1) outcomes above, and you're playing with the big dogs pretty freaking fast. Act in your own interest without considering the clients, and the people who really make things happen won't even know who you are.
seen it. done it. lived it. and it worked pretty well.
My former bosses always did what they thought was best for their bank account which made their business practice completely unpredictable and unorganized. Most of what I learned there was what NOT to do with your clients.
Matt hit it on the head - it's about your integrity as a business person.
Integrity has no need of rules.
Author: Albert Camus (1913-60), French novelist, essayist, playwright, philosopher
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thoughts in clear form.
Author: Albert Einstein (1875-1955), German-born American theoretical physicist, theories of relativity, philosopher
Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.
Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
People with integrity do what they say they are going to do. Others have excuses.
Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-84), British writer, lexicographer, wrote "Dictionary of the English Language"
There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.
Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-84), British writer, lexicographer, wrote "Dictionary of the English Language"
Matt hit it on the head - it's about your integrity as a business person.
Integrity has no need of rules.
Author: Albert Camus (1913-60), French novelist, essayist, playwright, philosopher
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thoughts in clear form.
Author: Albert Einstein (1875-1955), German-born American theoretical physicist, theories of relativity, philosopher
Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.
Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
People with integrity do what they say they are going to do. Others have excuses.
Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-84), British writer, lexicographer, wrote "Dictionary of the English Language"
There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.
Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-84), British writer, lexicographer, wrote "Dictionary of the English Language"
zxe003
New member
As a premier banker I must advise high net worth clients of the best financial decisions to suit their needs. It's my job to periodically sit down with them and go over their full financial picture and adjust for any current and/or future changes. If I did not do what was in the best interest of my clients, I would not only NOT be doing my job, but I would quickly diminish my credibility and would lose my entire book of clients. It's been my experience, time and time again, that a little honesty and integrity goes a long long way, and comes back ten fold. I've accquired and secured more high value relationships with sound advice and honesty. In many instances, I've even advised clients to go elsewhere for certain things (in which I recieved no compensation) to find that it only further solidified the relationship and their loyalty to me.
help4john
New member
Too much honesty and you could work yourself out of a job. Better to sacrifice or stretch the truth a little than to go hungry. Having said that, always error on the side of caution....the side of the client....but always leave a little bait on the hook for future nibbles.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
vinylgroover
New member
I am the client and i expect the consultants that work for me to provide me with quality and integrity of service. However, as a client, i realise that my consultants are not in it for the sake of being nice guys..........they are there to make a living too.
I tell all my consultants the same thing, the more i use your service, the more likely i am to use you again in the future. Giving them a little carrot like that goes a long way and most soon realise that i expect honesty and integrity and i usually reward that with more future work.
Business is all about building relationships and while there are plenty of rogues out there, most of the consultants i deal with tend to be exceptional.
I don't deal with anyone who throws a contract in front of my face before we've even started talking. That to me is a very defensive sign and not a good way to commence any working relationship.
I tell all my consultants the same thing, the more i use your service, the more likely i am to use you again in the future. Giving them a little carrot like that goes a long way and most soon realise that i expect honesty and integrity and i usually reward that with more future work.
Business is all about building relationships and while there are plenty of rogues out there, most of the consultants i deal with tend to be exceptional.
I don't deal with anyone who throws a contract in front of my face before we've even started talking. That to me is a very defensive sign and not a good way to commence any working relationship.
javaguru
Banned
I've told a number of clients they would be better served by going with a different solution than what our company could provide. It would fulfill 90%+ of their requirements at 1/10th of the cost of custom developing an application that would fulfill 100% of their requirements. Now my word is gospel and in the end it has paid off in spades.
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