Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

 

Managing Your Business When One Client Takes Alot of Your Time


How often has your schedule been thrown out of whack because of a client's needs?

I try to live by the 80/20 rule: working from my home office 80% of the time and working onsite with clients 20% of the time. But, the past week has been the exact opposite.

I had a demanding onsite project. I had to drive halfway across town and give up my weekend to help my client meet their deadline. Yeah, I know. It's time to get me some cheese to go with my whine.

You could think of this as "drowning in success". It's an interesting image. You're surrounded by good fortune - your clients need you, you're doing rewarding work, and, of course, you're getting paid. But, at the same time, you feel like you're drowning. You're so focused on how you're going to get through this stretch that it's easy to lose sight of your larger business goals.

When this happens, I have to put my situation in perspective. The following are 4 steps that help me to see the bigger picture.

1. Discuss your upcoming schedule with your business partner(s) and/or family members. You may have to reallocate some business or household responsibilities. Your business partner can continue to focus on marketing, searching for clients, and getting the word out. Your family can chip in by covering some of your chores. Brett and I are great about continuing to keep the business and household afloat when one of us gets too busy.

2. Be thankful for your current "problem". Acknowledge how busy you are right now. Then, think about what it's like when you're struggling to find clients. I know which "problem" I prefer.

3. Give yourself permission to relax. Sometimes when you're spending that much time on one client, you feel guilty about the other things you haven't had time to do. But, instead, set aside time to do something mindless. My guilty pleasure is my free money online poker game.

4. Leverage your current project.

  • Write a press release about the client you're working with. For added punch, include a quote from your client. It's a win-win.
  • Write a case study based on the work you did. You could include this with your marketing materials. Or, you could turn it into an article and submit to an industry magazine.

See you in the pool!

Leila Johnson co-owns Data-Scribe(tm) along with her husband Brett Johnson. The New Mexico-based firm empowers Micro-Businesses through technology, the written word & training. To get more tips like this, visit their Micro-Business E-Library or sign up for their Micro-Business Gazette at http://www.datascribe.biz.


MORE RESOURCES:

Customer Service - Google News

Capital One Recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for Outstanding Customer ... - EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)


Capital One Recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for Outstanding Customer ...
EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Capital One (NYSE:COF) has been recognized by JD Power and Associates for outstanding customer service across its Retail Banking, US Card and Small Business Card call centers. The call centers received certification by ...
Capital One Call Centers Recognized for ExcellenceMMD Newswire (press release)

all 10 news articles »

Frustrated With Virtual Customer Service? Microsoft Tries to Help - Wall Street Journal (blog)


Frustrated With Virtual Customer Service? Microsoft Tries to Help
Wall Street Journal (blog)
By Deborah Gage People who are forced to engage in online chats with virtual customer service agents–or who are passed from agent to agent without getting their problems solved–are likely to get highly frustrated and take their business elsewhere.
Microsoft Teams up With 24/7 for Customer Service SoftwarePCWorld
Microsoft Teams Up with 24/7 on Customer Service SoftwareDestination CRM
Microsoft reaches agreement with 24/7 on speech-driven customer-service platformThe Seattle Times
Fox Business
all 47 news articles »

Bernthal, The Way It Oughta Be: Customer Service - KPLR 11


Bernthal, The Way It Oughta Be: Customer Service
KPLR 11
If you can build some customer service skills I think you will stand out among your peers. Sure it's no law school or medical school but what this country really needs is some good customer service. Here was my recent experience.

and more »

Alcatel-Lucent banks on customer service - Communications, Engineering & Design Magazine


Siliconrepublic.com

Alcatel-Lucent banks on customer service
Communications, Engineering & Design Magazine
The French company is using software acquired through its 2008 purchase of customer service specialist Motive to boost the capabilities of some of its existing products, Greg Owens, director of customer experience solutions marketing, ...
ALU revamps tools to enhance customer experienceRethink Wireless
Alcatel-Lucent Makes Its Customer Experience Management Motive ClearSacramento Bee
Alcatel-Lucent extends 'Motive' brandBroadband TV News
Telecoms.com
all 49 news articles »

Telcos pledge improved customer service, but regulation looms - iTWire


Telcos pledge improved customer service, but regulation looms
iTWire
The telecomms industry has made its last bid to escape regulation of its customer service practices by the ACMA, with the submission of a revised Telecommunications Consumer Protection Code to the ACMA for registration. In November last year the ACMA ...
Action group rejects telco industry codeThe Australian
Full Spectrum: getting tough on telcosZDNet Australia

all 18 news articles »

Customer Service satisfaction survey figures down in 2011 - Reno Gazette Journal


Customer Service satisfaction survey figures down in 2011
Reno Gazette Journal
FERNLEY--After compiling the most recent Customer Satisfaction Survey results from area residents, City of Fernley staff attributed the resulting low satisfaction results to the City Council's passage of the debt bond assessment, which was designed to ...

Microsoft and 24/7 Inc. team up to build a better automated customer service ... - BetaNews


BetaNews

Microsoft and 24/7 Inc. team up to build a better automated customer service ...
BetaNews
Microsoft and 24/7 Inc. have joined up to develop a next-gen automated customer service platform that pairs big data analytics with touch, speech, and gesture interfaces for a more mobile-friendly self-service customer experience.
Microsoft Unveils Microsoft Dynamics CRM MobileMobile Enterprise
Dynamics CRM Going Fully Mobile with Update from MicrosoftNewsFactor Network

all 118 news articles »

Interbit Data Expands Sales and Customer Support Teams for Its Healthcare ... - MarketWatch (press release)


Interbit Data Expands Sales and Customer Support Teams for Its Healthcare ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Joining Interbit Data as customer support specialist is Reiko Foster. Reiko comes from IntraLearn Software Corporation, where she provided customer technical support and training for nine years. Reiko has extensive experience in software sales support, ...

and more »

Playworld Systems Launches PlayPod(TM), a 24/7 Mobile Customer Support Tool - MarketWatch (press release)


Playworld Systems Launches PlayPod(TM), a 24/7 Mobile Customer Support Tool
MarketWatch (press release)
It provides instant access to individualized installation and maintenance data and customer service links as well as fun play tips. PlayPod is a value-added service that works when users download the free Tag mobile app to a smartphone at ...

and more »

Office Depot Named as Finalist in Stevie(R) Awards for Sales & Customer Service - MarketWatch (press release)


Office Depot Named as Finalist in Stevie(R) Awards for Sales & Customer Service
MarketWatch (press release)
The international competition recognizes excellence in disciplines that are crucial to business success, and honors the accomplishments of sales, customer service, and call/contact center professionals worldwide. -- Sales Support Team of the Year: An ...
B2B Marketing Leader, Televerde, Executive to Judge National Business Awards ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
OFFICE DEPOT, INC.: Office Depot Named as Finalist in Stevie(R) Awards for..4-traders (press release)

all 16 news articles »

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

AusTrade Domain Is For Sale - $15,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.AusTrade.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker