In my first job out of college, I sold commercial time for an AM talk radio station. Our station owned a suite at the football stadium, and during one of the games one of my co-workers was a little nervous. His biggest client was going to be there so several bottles of beer and a few too many shots of Tequila later, he needed to make a quick exit. He didn’t embarrass himself, but he could have.
He blamed it on the chicken nachos.
While it’s important to build rapport with a client, you need to make sure you keep your business relationship in line, starting with these tips.
Remember that you always represent your business
If you’re out with a friend and you do something reckless, a friend may laugh it off. But if you’re with a client, he or she may wonder whether you’re handling his or her account the same way. They may even lose faith in your ability to make good decisions on their behalf. There’s nothing wrong with having fun. Being out of control is beyond wrong.
Think before you speak
When you meet with a client, don’t get so comfortable that you start sharing secrets, insight or anything else that could compromise your business relationship. I remember having lunch with a supplier who was telling me about his company’s problems and that he was looking for a new job. My confidence in the company dropped so much that day that eventually I switched suppliers. That was a case of too much info, too fast.
Use good judgment
A client is a client, whether or not he or she is your friend. So anytime you go out, avoid letting your hair down completely. Treat your friends the same way you would a client, and don’t forget that something you do in your personal life could affect your business relationships.
The more you work with a client, the more comfortable you’ll be around him or her, and if all goes well you’ll work together for years. The key to a lasting client relationship, aside from delivering products and goods as promised and running an ethical business, is respecting the professional relationship you’ve built.
How do you avoid blurring the lines between your business and personal relationships?
I have always blurred the line between client and friend. Mostly, because the clients with whom I interface are all my friends (either before or after our relationship). For years, I refused to help my local friends – I did not want them to consider my friendship a drive for work. And, until one of them berated me for avoiding him, asking “do you not consider my business worthy of your attention?”, that was the norm.
However, I do draw the line for secrets. They are mine. No one else’s. I don’t share them with anyone- not even a best friend. Unless it’s MY personal secret (and then it’s shared with one of 2 best friends or family) or THEIR personal secret.
Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. @Cerebrations.biz recently posted..Let’s sue! (Forget baseball, this is the real American past-time.)
It’s tricky to keep client and personal friendships separate and many times it’s impossible. I consider my clients my friends, yet I still maintain professionalism. You’re right about secrets being yours, not anyone else’s. Some people don’t understand that but those people may not be friends after all. Thanks for your comment, Roy.
Lisa recently posted..Drawing the Line Between Your Business and Personal Relationships