I was listening to a podcast this weekend about sales and service. There is always room for work and personal development when you own your own business. It never stops. Personally, I am always on and eager to learn more for both you and me.

Back to the podcast: You want the best service and products and we want to deliver. That goes without saying but being the best customer goes beyond signing an agreement or clicking pay now.

This post isn’t about creating your buyer personas and identifying the ideal customer. It is about BEING the best customer to ensure complete satisfaction and deliverables.

As the vendor, your vested partner, we have a job to do and most of us strive to be the pinnacle of providers. Our business depends on it because if we don’t, there is someone else who will. Your needs are to be met, better yet, exceeded. But we need YOU to do your part as well.

In your mind’s eye, what characteristics represent your own best client? The kind you love to work with? The one that is so productive, enriching and fun, making your job so much easier?

Sure, there can be daily challenges or differences of opinion, but those can be easily seen as strengths to develop a strong working relationship. It takes two to make it work, efficiently and effectively.

The 4 Cs of being the ideal client:

Cultivation:

Doesn’t it feel wonderful when you establish a new relationship, feeling the vibrancy and synergy? You know it is going to work out. You are excited to move forward. Don’t lose this feeling because of the daily grind and pressures of running your business. A successful partnership, like any connection, requires effort and mutuality.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions or schedule strategy calls if you have new ideas or ventures you want to discuss. We welcome that interaction and want to serve you.

“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” Lewis Carol

Communication:

It goes beyond just telling us about your plans and visions, which of course are vital to our success ratio, but we also need open communications, transparency and feedback. Creating the initial foundation after the sale, especially when in the service industry, is paramount to our long-term partnership. Clear and succinct details and desired outcomes are important to us. Feedback is necessary on our deliverables.

There are many times we also require more information from you, enabling us to do our best and meet your expectations, but if we as service providers are met with an untimely response or lack thereof, we are unable to give you the service you want and deserve.

• Keep the communication lines open.
• Respond in a timely fashion.
• Provide honest feedback.

Collaboration:

Our partnership requires collaboration, a give and take for us to achieve your goals. In the Virtual Assistant industry, you have contracted with us to assist you with your business management and operations. We need to work closely together, using tools and clear communication to achieve your desired objectives. You may have given us project to complete and to create a sturdy foundation for success, we need to collaborate and discuss the details. We will use a variety of tools to streamline the process, and while you have delegated to us, you are still considered a facet of the job, when and if, we need additional information or approval. When we are able to work together, bounce ideas, outline criteria, and act as mutual associates, the outcomes far exceed expectations. As your vested partner, we drive AND thrive to do our best for you. But again, it takes two.

Let’s work together to master your operations and scale your business to the next level.

“LOVE the WE because as I said before we are a team! :)”  Recent quote from an ideal client.

We are a team.

Commitment:

You possibly chose your vendor based upon interviews, recommendations, online brand reputation and research. You selected the best company or person for the job. In doing so, you trust them to provide you with remarkable products and service. You made a commitment to the partnership. Commitment is a big word, reflecting on your trust and value in the service provider. If you have made this pledge, why not be the best you can be, so we can be the best for you?

No one likes to be disappointed or to have to repeat the process to find a replacement. Invest in this partnership in order to see your desired results.

Commitment is also the catchall for:

1. Cultivation
2. Communication
3. Collaboration

This post is NOT to put the onus on you. It is about US!

In your quest for the best, you found a provider who exemplifies each of the characteristics above and is fully accountable for their half of the equation. As entrepreneurs, we opened our doors to provide and serve. To be unsurpassed and please you with our goods and services.

“For us, our most important stakeholder is not our stockholders, it is our customers. We’re in business to serve the needs and desires of our core customer base.” John Mackey

Let’s do this together. Are you ready?

What character traits make you the best client?