Its Valentine’s Day tomorrow and that got me to thinking about how you can show a little more love to your clients.  Now, I don’t mean to imply that you don’t care about your clients; I know you do.  But do they really understand how much they mean to you?

 

Let me give you an example. As a business coach I work with a number of MSPs. These are business owners who run IT consulting firms. Each individual is very different and their businesses are different as well. I have this client who is currently making the transition to a true MSP. He has been the break/fix guy for his customers for a very long time.  Recently, one of his customers went to another firm to get a server quote.  Evidently the customer didn’t like what the other firm came back with, so they contact my partner. But he didn’t just go to the Dell website to get them a price on a new server.  Instead he sent them a well written email to explain that purchasing a server isn’t just an off the shelf project.  He went on to explain the need to meet with them face-to-face in order to understand what their needs are today and into the future.

 

My partner took the time and care to communicate with his customer.  He let them know that instead of just slapping something into their network environment, he wanted to make sure that they got the best solution for their needs. I call that showing them the “love”.

 

Ask yourself how you can you show your clients some more love.  As with any relationship, communication is the key. Look at your marriage or the relationships you have with your friends, family or significant other. Guys stop and think about this for just a minute. How often does your wife or girlfriend say something to you like, “we don’t talk anymore, I feel like we are strangers”? It is the same way with your clients, customers and prospects. You need to communicate with them on their level so they know and understand that you have their best interests at heart. If you don’t, your competitor will.

 

On this Valentine’s Day 2010, show a little more love to your clients.  I promise you they will appreciate what you do for them and their business a whole lot more. And guys don’t forget your special someone. She is being supportive of what you are doing, show her that you care.

 

Here’s one last note for those of you who are on the fence about coming to my Spring Training for Business even. Fax or email me the receipt for the gift you bought for your Valentine. I will take that amount, up to $100, off of your registration for Spring Training.  This is on top of any other discount that is being offered through speakers, vendors or other organizations. So come on guys, buy your sweetie something nice and then she will let you come out for our Spring Training. This offer is good through February 16, 2010. See you in March!

 

All the best in success,

 

Stu