Print | Send To Friends | Add To Favorites | Comment

Ten Ways to Build Client Trust

By: Alvah Parker

Article Word Count: 664 words  [Comments (0)]
Total Views: 3 Views

Clients work with professionals whom they trust. Building trust is an ongoing process. Here are 10 ways to build trust with both old and new clients.



1. Keep your agreements with your clients – If you promise delivery on a particular day, make sure to deliver when it was promised. Even something as small as the time you have scheduled an appointment is an agreement. Each time you break an agreement with a client, you break the trust.



2. Create realistic client expectations – Help the client to understand exactly what you will do for him or her. Put boundaries around what is included in your service and what is not. What will create extra charges? How and when will you be billing the client? Living up to the expectations you create helps your clients to take you at your word.



3. Help client to understand the process – If your client understands how you and your office works the client can then know what to expect and when to expect it.



4. Explain your plan and strategy – Not only does the client need to understand your office procedure but also what the plan and strategy is for his/her particular case. This will help client to know what to expect and when to expect it. Trust comes when the client feels confident and comfortable with the plan and the strategy.



5. Never over promise – It is tempting to promise whatever the client requests without consulting a schedule or asking if it is doable. Over promising often causes broken agreements and thus broken trust.



6. Carefully explain the client’s role – When a client is clear on what his or her role is then the client gets clear on what progress can be made without his or her involvement and what needs his or her input before moving on. Getting really clear on what the client needs to do to move his or her case forward, helps you work as a team and builds trust.



7. Discuss potential pitfalls – Nothing disturbs the trust of a client more than when something unexpected happens. (If it is good of course you can celebrate! Whew!) Guard against something negative happening as a surprise by discussing the potential pitfalls with the client.



8. Review the agreement in detail – Any agreements that the client is going to have to make should be discussed in detail. Trust is built over a long period of time but it can be broken easily. A surprise that results from an agreement the client made but is unaware of breaks that trust quickly.



9. Avoid making the client feel stupid – No one likes to feel stupid. If clients feel that you think they are stupid they will no longer entrust you with their ideas or thoughts. Clients who don’t feel valued by the professional may stop trusting that person. Professionals probably don’t set out to make a client feel stupid. In fact it may be an attitude, an inadvertent comment, or a look that gives the client that impression. Be aware of your inner thoughts. They show up without your noticing. Use careful language.



10. Don’t allow interruptions at meetings – If you take interruptions during meetings with clients it makes them feel they are not important to you. Eventually you erode the good will and trust that you had with them.


Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com





Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Parker’s Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are managers, business owners, sole practioners, attorneys and people in transition. Alvah is found on the web at www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.

Copyright © 2004 all rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce in its entirety including copyright and contact information.





Print | Send To Friends | Add To Favorites | Comment

Related articles


The 5 W's of World Class Customer Service Training By: Rosanne D'Ausilio,Ph.D - The preamble to the United States Constitution begins, ‘we, the people.
 
Engage Your Customer – Write About Benefits By: Glenn Murray - Think quick.
 
Customer Service – the Real Estate Revolution By: Glenn Murray - Traditionally, real estate has been viewed as a sales industry.
 
Does Your Customer Service Suck? By: Darryl Gee - As a customer, I know what it's like to be on the customers side of the counter.
 
Customer Service Policy Geared For Excellence By: Alicia Smith - One unhappy customer will tell the world about inferior service while a happy customer rarely tells a soul.
 
Reducing Customer Resistance to Your Product or Service By: Alicia Smith - Resistance has to do with putting up blocks that prevent us from doing, being, or accomplishing what we want for our business.
 
Over Delivering Provides Big Results By: Alicia Smith - Over promising is a problem only when you under deliver.
 
Ten Ways to Build Client Trust By: Alvah Parker - Clients work with professionals whom they trust.
 
Put Your Angry Customer at Ease By: Jay - Having to deal with angry and upset customers is by far one of the worst responsibilities we must face on a day to day basis in the world of sales and business.
 
Keeping Your Cool When The Customer Gets Hot By: Lydia Ramsey - A day in the life of a business person can be filled with joy and satisfaction or it can be frustrating and stressful.
 
Turn Your Customer Complaint into a Positive By: Jay - The last thing we want to hear during our work day is complaints from customers.
 
Customer Service Training Tips By: LeeAnna - - Good customer service is the best way to keep customers coming back to your business.
 
Can You Hear Me Now? By: Rosanne D'Ausilio,Ph.D - When you listen to a customer (or co-worker, spouse, significant other), your brain is constantly making hundreds of assumptions.
 
Using the Power of Client Testimonials to Grow Your Business By: Alicia Smith - Client testimonials are one of the most powerful marketing tools coaches can use.
 
Develop Loyal Customers for a Lifetime - part 2 (11 - 20) By: Alicia Smith - Traditional marketing strategies encourage business owners to continually grow their businesses by adding new customers.
 

Search the Articles


Subscribe

Receive alert message from us when new articles submitted to our site for free.

Enter your name

Enter your email

Categories

Syndicates