People are always asking me what is the common denominator for my client's success?
As always a good question that made me think a while back, if there's a formula or some sort of pattern that I should follow for myself and, of course, for my clients.
By now you all know what I do for a living: I provide for my clients training and coaching in order for them to achieve their goals. I'v had good clients and bad ones. Before I jump into this subject I must make a confession: when I start working with a new client I become their number 1 fan. And more important for me than helping them realize their goals is to see how they keep growing even if I no longer work with them. After spending almost 20 years of my life in this field, I've discovered that there are some "characteristics" that the successful clients have in common. Want to find out what these are? Read until the very end and you'll discover if you have what it takes.
1. THEY HAVE AN OPEN MIND
When I say this I mean that they are open to new ideas and concepts, knowing that If they come to me, they want to pay to build and implement a new strategy, nor an old one. Boy oh boy... Did I have my fair share of clients that were telling me what to do, ignoring all my possible advices because they believed they know better? YES, I DID! What do you do with these kind of clients? You tell them politely that it's better for them to work alone or to hire someone else. "If you know better, you do it. I can be responsible for my own ideas, not for yours."
2. THEY ARE GOOD COMMUNICATORS
That means that they are able to structure their ideas both verbally and in writing, they know how to ask for advice, they give feedback and most importantly, they don't delay the processes required for the successful implementation of the project. I am aware that life happens every single day. It's totally understandable. But even that can be worked out with a good communication. One of the most important qualities in communication: DO NOT ASSUME! THE ASSUMPTION IS THE MOTHER OF ALL FAILURES.
3. THEY TRUST THEMSELVES AND THE TEAM THEY ARE WORKING WITH
Once I had a client that for each proposal had to consult with "someone" and, obviously that "someone" never approved what I had done. After a few back and forth episodes I advised my client to work with that "someone" since HE or SHE knew better what I was supposed to do. There's no point in having third parties involved. " You should work directly since you are getting along so well". I'm not saying that you shouldn't trust your friend, your spouse or your business partner. Trust your instinct! That's OK! Trust a specialist/consultant, but when you're searching for validation everywhere, you'll get nowhere.
4. THEY ARE HONEST
“Being honest may not get you a lot of friends, but it’ll always get you the right ones.”
And the honesty is mutual. They're honest with themselves, with me and their situation. Building mutual trust is a must in coaching and counseling. I've seen many clients that they were somehow ashamed with the situation they were in like they did some kind of crime. I will always tell my clients that the day we've met it was a good day for them because it meant the end of their problems and for me because I had work to do. I ask for my clients total honesty. That is why I sign with them a Non Disclosure Agreement.
5. THEY EDUCATE THEMSELVES CONSTANTLY
My most successful clients are taking time to understand their business, their brand and my strategies and processes. It's important for me that they know what they want, what they don't want, what are people (aka competition) is doing and how to continue building their brand after I'm done with them and so on.
6. THEY DON'T FEAR CHANGE
“Never fix a running system!”
It's understandable that if a client wants a change in his/her business, that means CHANGE: budgets change, plans change, channels change, procedures change even the people change. CHANGE, in fact, is the only one constant. But surely when we're looking at a business, it's important to see what's working and what's not. Change comes to those aspects that aren't working the way we want them to.
7. THEY UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
If you're not online and if you don't have a strong social media presence YOU DON'T EXIST! My clients understand that they have to integrate online marketing strategies in their overall business strategies. A good brand should always have an active online presence and realize that social networks are one of the fastest growing industries in the world and it represents the easiest and most efficient way to gain customers.
Now you know! If you are doing already these things than you're on the right track to implement your BIG IDEA and most likely you'll be successful no matter if you're working with me or not.
If you felt while you were reading this article, that you have to change something feel free to ask for help or leave a comment bellow.
I hope you’ll find this helpful and remember that we are in the industry of building people and it’s a proven fact that together we are better. So don’t forget to share this with the world!
Yours in success,
Iva Berghmann