RULE NUMBER ONE: Always try to see your clients in person because you can’t kiss their a** over a computer…
AND…
RULE NUMBER TWO… If you don’t schmooze, you lose!
(And if YOU don’t see your clients in person on a regular basis, someone else will…and you could possibly wind up losing some of those clients, even though you may have been doing a great job for them.)
- One of the most important things in any business is keeping your clients and customers…and keeping them happy.
- One of the other most important things in business is working well with your co-workers and keeping them happy, too.
And, aside from always trying to do your best to do good work for them, and aside from always being straightforward and honest with your clients and co-workers, one of the most important things in business is to build a good working relationship with your clients and everyone you work with so they are comfortable working with you and trusting you.
And for better ways of communicating with your clients and co-workers, here are some things to always keep in mind:
1) First, always keep in mind the age-old mantra of customer relations…
“The customer is always right!”
(Even if you think they’re wrong, figure out how to deal with it and then move on.)
2) If you’ve got good news to deliver…deliver it in person!
3) If you’ve got bad news to deliver…deliver it in person.
Don’t text it. Don’t email it! And don’t ever send anything over the internet, and don’t put anything in writing that could embarrass you if it winds up on the Evening News…or even worse…in court!
Got that? Be very careful what you say and whom you say it to…and always keep in mind another age-old mantra…
“Loose lips sink ships!”
So, is the success of your business and the success of your career at your company dependent on a lot of office politics?
Absolutely YES!
And, some of the first things you need to know wherever you work and whatever your job is…are things like…
A) Who’s in charge, who does what, and who reports to whom?
B) Plus, you need to know what your job is and how it gets evaluated.
You also have to study office politics. (And try to keep your thoughts to yourself.)
Plus, start reading up about your industry and your competition and learn as much as you can about everything related to your business because that knowledge and those skills will help you advance.
Also Read: 5 Methods to Be a More Effective Leader and Communicator
Also, be on the lookout for opportunities at other companies because you may have to leave your current place of business to help you advance a lot faster!
Other than that, do your best to do a good job and if you have any questions about anything, ask.
NOW…Here are some rules to success in business and success at your job:
1) Never do anything to endanger your clients!
2) Never do anything to endanger your boss!
3) And never do anything to endanger your job!
4) Don’t say anything stupid!
5) Don’t do anything stupid!
6) Don’t post anything stupid on the internet!
7) Don’t ever say anything racist or sexist or politically incorrect!
8) Never talk to the press, unless that’s your job!
9) Learn how to refer things to your management and their attorneys…
10) And don’t brag…Be humble…and more people will like you a lot more.
Also, if you’re making a lot of money, don’t be in a hurry to show off your success. Take it easy on the jewelry and the clothing you might wear at the office.
AND…GETTING BACK TO COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CLIENTS AND ENTERTAINING YOUR CLIENTS…
Here is a funny story about things to think about when entertaining your clients:
Many years ago, I met a salesman who didn’t entertain his clients much after work. Generally, he would go straight home to his family.
His sales were pretty good, so it was tough for the powers that be to get rid of him.
Then, one day, some people in management told him that they wanted him to spend some more time entertaining his clients after work.
So, he started to stay out late and entertain his clients a lot more, and a few months later, the same management people that didn’t like him in the first place said, “He’s not much of a family man,” and shortly after that, they fired him, even though his sales were very good.
Politics…it’s all politics.
In most cases, one person can do just as good a job as another, and to keep your job, learn how to navigate the office politics.
- And to keep your clients, learn how to navigate their office politics.
- And to keep your customers, learn how to navigate their politics.
- Also, read a lot of books about business. Read a lot of books about your industry.
- And one book that everyone should read immediately is Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
It will stand you in good stead throughout your business life and throughout all your years.
Now, for communicating better with your clients, customers, and co-workers…
- Remember…always try to see them in person as often as you can.
- If you can’t see them in person, call them!
- Don’t just text them. Don’t just email them.
- See them in person. Talk to them in person. If you can’t see them in person for any other reason, call them.
- Build a good working relationship with everyone you work with.
Don’t argue! Don’t yell, and don’t ever curse at work! - Keep your nasty thoughts and comments to yourself…
- And…learn how to master the arts of Flattery and to appeal to a person’s Vanity.
- Flattery and Vanity…Flattery and Vanity…They could become some of the keys to success in all that you do.
- Also, always keep in touch with your past and present clients with holiday cards, birthday cards, and interesting bits of information as often and as appropriately as they occur.
And always keep in mind rule Number One…See your clients, customers, and co-workers in person as often as you can because you can’t kiss their a** over a computer, and if you don’t schmooze, you lose.
Here’s wishing you the best of success in communicating better with your clients, customers, and co-workers!
