I work in a customer service type environment as a project manager for a website design and development company. My job is to work with the client to construct their website in a timely manner, while being “professional”. (and profitable of course). There are so many times I deal with clients that try to go the more formal route that we have all seen, “i’m paying for this, and im the boss”. There are a few great clients out there that do break the barrier and talk to you like a human being and not the drive-thru speaker at McDonalds.

When you have a good customer relationship that is based on trust, you tend to get more out of it.

Example:
(client 1)This client complains if I don’t respond to his email in ten minutes, or if I miss 1 of the 50 things he wants done on his website.

(client 2) This client calls me up and asks, “Hey bro, just checkin to see if you got my email. I know your probably busy, just give me a call when you have a chance”. When I am on the phone with this client he and I talk like two people sitting at the bar. I know if there is an idea that he has that will not look right on his website I tell him directly, “hey bro, I don’t think you want to do this, because it will make this whole page look like shit.”

What is the difference in these two clients? The answer is one thinks I am a robot and he is my only client, and the other understands that they are not my only client and I am an honest guy with his best interest in mind.

So what happens with these clients? “Client One” WILL get charged for every possible upgrade that they will need, and if I could take a dump on their website without betting crap all over my screen, I would. “Client Two” on the other hand has gotten an awesome looking site, totally tweeked out, and has a website that would normally cost $10K. In total he has paid around $7K.

Moral of the story is that treat people like they are human and its more rewarding for both parties. Don’t be that jackass that thinks you hired someone and that you are better than they are, because the blink of an eye the tables can turn.

Have a good day all!

I work in a customer service type environment as a project manager for a website design and development company. My job is to work with the client to construct their website in a timely manner, while being “professional”. (and profitable of course). There are so many times I deal with clients that try to go the more formal route that we have all seen, “i’m paying for this, and im the boss”. There are a few great clients out there that do break the barrier and talk to you like a human being and not the drive-thru speaker at McDonalds.

When you have a good customer relationship that is based on trust, you tend to get more out of it.

Example:
(client 1)This client complains if I don’t respond to his email in ten minutes, or if I miss 1 of the 50 things he wants done on his website.

(client 2) This client calls me up and asks, “Hey bro, just checkin to see if you got my email. I know your probably busy, just give me a call when you have a chance”. When I am on the phone with this client he and I talk like two people sitting at the bar. I know if there is an idea that he has that will not look right on his website I tell him directly, “hey bro, I don’t think you want to do this, because it will make this whole page look like shit.”

What is the difference in these two clients? The answer is one thinks I am a robot and he is my only client, and the other understands that they are not my only client and I am an honest guy with his best interest in mind.

So what happens with these clients? “Client One” WILL get charged for every possible upgrade that they will need, and if I could take a dump on their website without betting crap all over my screen, I would. “Client Two” on the other hand has gotten an awesome looking site, totally tweeked out, and has a website that would normally cost $10K. In total he has paid around $7K.

Moral of the story is that treat people like they are human and its more rewarding for both parties. Don’t be that jackass that thinks you hired someone and that you are better than they are, because the blink of an eye the tables can turn.

Have a good day all!

I completely agree. I completely “wear out” restaurants by going to them a million times, until I can’t fathom the idea of eating there again.

In the process, I typically will become friends with everyone from the lowly hostess to the owner.

One of my current favorites is Verra Zanno Pizza on 141 in Johns Creek. I know everyone in there, including each waitresses personal situations, like where they go to school and what they are studying, etc.

When I go in, they are all jockeying to to get me in their section, or they just tag team me.

The benefits are nice, though I really do it for the benefits: awesome service, all sorts of freebies, and sometimes they will just say, “this one is on us.”

I’ve crested this environment at every restaurant I’ve ever “worn out” …and that’s a bunch!

Have you considered the chance of a opposite thing happening? The business might consider that since you are anyway too happy with the waiter and are realxed, they might spend their limited marketing bucks on wooing others who are not so friendly as you.