David A. Fields Consulting Group Consulting can feel like an unequal, parent-child type relationship with clients. They set rules. They control your payments. They tell you to turn your music down.
But the relationship isn’t as one-way as it seems. In fact, it needn’t be unbalanced at all.
You support your clients; you’re not subordinate to them.
Further, your clients have obligations to your consulting firm and to their engagement with you.
It helps if you’re cognizant, yourself, of your clients’ obligations.
Once you’re clear, you can outline those obligations for your client in your proposals, then reinforce them during your project kickoff meetings.
For instance, my firm routinely highlights specific obligations with every new client at their project kickoff.
And if a client doesn’t live up to their obligations, don’t let the situation fester.
Quickly talk with them about the issue, without hesitation or guilt.
Let’s bring this from the theoretical to the practical by developing a concrete list of clients’ obligations.
A starter set of obligations is below. Your additions will make it better for yourself and other readers.
Clients’ Obligations to Your Consulting Firm
Show up for scheduled calls and meetings
Pay invoices on time
Respond to requests for information within a reasonable time frame
Use IP only within the scope provided
Treat you and your staff with respect
Give honest feedback during and after the project
What else?
What other obligations do your clients have to your consulting firm and to the consulting engagement?
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Hi David,
Unfortunately you left out the most important one…laugh at my jokes :-). All the best.
You’re right, Doc. Clients should be obligated to appreciate our sense of humor!
Thanks for jumping in this morning, Doc.