What makes a good client?

All effective working relationships have both a give and take element. The other side of our client research was to ask our staff what the client characteristics were that produced the most productive relationships.

We think the results make interesting reading.

Allowing us to make the required investment in the relationship to ensure that we can anticipate requirements effectively. We know that we work best as an extension to client’s teams.
Making sure that the person instructing us has a full and clear understanding of the aims and objectives of the piece of work that is to be done as well any deadlines, other constraints and potential issues or problems. These should all be communicated to us at the outset.
Leaving complete instructions/messages with realistic deadlines and to be available to take questions and or clarify issues.
Listening to the reasoning behind our solutions and not asking for the same piece of advice repeatedly despite receiving general guidance on the surrounding issues, which should enable similar situations to be dealt with.
Avoiding “everything is always urgent syndrome” – putting off dealing with known major issues/problems to the last minute and expecting us to drop all other work on a regular basis even where considerable lead time exists.
Providing feedback as projects progress and suggesting areas where we can improve our approach and or delivery. This is particularly important for large projects.
Abiding by set service level agreements and being consistent in the way that questions are presented and requests for advice made.
Informing us of changes to contacts/key personnel. This includes providing notice of holidays and the alternative arrangements for cover in absence.
Realising that occasionally, particular members of staff may be working on other urgent deals. If this is the case we will always ensure that this is explained and that the work is carried out, to an agreed deadline, by another member of the relevant team, who has been appropriately briefed and approved by the client.