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Are you caught in a tug of war between managing your project or managing your client relationships?
Many project managers struggle to know when to step in and when they should stay on the sidelines.
You can become a nuisance to your team and clients if you check in too often. You may be seen as disinterested or irresponsible if you check in too often.
You want to strike a balance between your client’s satisfaction and your project team’s. You want to be the project manager, stepping in to help but still allowing everyone to do their work.
Clients are very busy people.
Clients are very sensitive about how and when you approach them and how they communicate with you.
Clients are a very demanding job. There are many people and obligations competing for your attention. Project managers consider it a blessing when clients are willing to spend a little time with them to discuss project information.
You must establish good communication lines with your clients as soon as you start a project to foster a positive relationship. You must also season the relationship so that clients feel comfortable and excited when it comes to meeting for a project.
How to make your clients happy
Building strong client relationships is more than just wooing them with flowers and chocolates. It takes authenticity, transparency, courage, and the willingness to do what is necessary.
These are three ways to make clients happy and set the stage for your team to perform at their best.
If you feel uncomfortable or unsure about this, I believe you can trust me when I say that these tips are more about your attitude and approach towards clients as individuals rather than professionals you have to answer.
Tip #1: Be personal. Be yourself.
The client-PM relationship goes beyond a professional transaction. It’s a long-term relationship built on trust and respect. Sometimes all it takes is to be yourself.
Start conversations by asking a few personal questions such as:
How are you doing? How was your business trip in Bali?
Are you a sportsman? What are your hobbies?
Which restaurant is your favorite? We could have our next project meeting there.
Your client can see you behind your project manager role by sharing your stories and experiences.
Tip #2: Listen carefully to your client
It’s easy to get through a project meeting by following a routine: you meet at your office, start the discussion and take notes. You then document the discussion and share a.docx file with what was discussed.
This is efficient, but it can lead to missing important insights that could be beneficial to the project.
You must be a better listener to capture all the important information.
Active listening and mindfulness will help you focus on your client’s words. You are able to understand your client well and are fully engaged in the project. You are more likely to do your best work when you understand the person and are fully engaged in the project.
Tip #3: Be an educator.
Poor client decisions can often be caused by a lack understanding of what was done and the major deliverables.
Instead of just presenting deliverables to clients, educate them about the process behind them and how they fit into the project scope. To help clients understand the timeliness and dependencies of the project, explain what each member did for each task.
To build strong client relationships
Your client relationships will be positive if you establish trust, transparency, communication and transparency early.
This level of transparency makes it easier to manage your team and keep your clients informed and happy.
Learn the secrets to happiness and openness.
