Management Tip of the Day: Start Your New Client Relationship Right

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 Start Your New Client Relationship Right A client often decides whether to trust you, rely on you — and ultimately give you more business — based on your first few days or weeks of working together. Here are three ways to set up the relationship for success: Make an accurate first impression. Make them feel comfortable, but also set clear expectations about what you can and can't offer. Don't oversell your skills. Be responsive. React to client requests quickly or you risk giving the impression you aren't really listening. If you really need them to wait, tell them why and offer a next step. Keep up the pace. If you don't continue that responsiveness, your client may wonder what's wrong. Consistency implies stability, and clients always want to feel like they're in good hands. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Constructing Your Personal User Interface" by Whitney Johnson. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT The Architecture of Innovation: The Economics of Creative Organizations HBR Press Innovation is a much-used buzzword these days, but when it comes to creating and implementing a new idea, many companies miss the mark. Harvard Business School professor Josh Lerner — one of the foremost experts on how innovation works — says innovation can be understood and managed. The key to success? Incentives. By using the principles of organizational economics, Lerner explains how companies can set the right incentives and time horizons for investments and create a robust innovation infrastructure in the process. Now available in ebook and hardcover format. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Match Your Presentation to Your Audience Make Decisions Simpler for Your Customers Choose the Right Tools to Communicate With Your Virtual Team Ask for More Before Granting a Favor Create a Vision that Motivates Your Team Manage a Diverse and Dispersed Team Why Projects Work Better than Interviews Decide If Travel Is Really Worth It Make Your Big Idea Happen Say No to Extra Work All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)