When You're Talking to a Client, There is Such a Thing as a Stupid Question

When it comes to querying a client, avoid any question which might lead the client to the conclusion that you don't know what you're doing. Avoid asking too many questions, which will lead your client to the same conclusion.

You are supposed to be the expert. If your line of questioning makes your client feel like you value their expertise over your own, you are going to have a problem. If not now, then when you send the bill and hear, "I did all the work; all you did was exactly what I told you to. Next time, I'll hire a temp worker and tell them what to do for a fraction of your price."

For example, if you are pool contractor, do not ask your customer how deep the water under the diving board should be. If you are in advertising, do not ask your customer what marketing message should go first in their brochure. Maybe it is legitimate to want your customer's opinion or confirmation, but the question should be phrased as such. Start out with your expert recommendation, then ask for your customer's reaction.

Choose your client questions wisely because you do have a quota. If you exceed your client's personal opinion on how many questions you should be asking, your client will once again draw the conclusion that you don't know what you are doing. To avoid this happening, take care to ensure you are gathering information from your client in the form of a conversation, not an interrogation. Make sure that for every question you ask, you answer one or make a statement to demonstrate your knowledge.

Guest Post by Sean : Workplace Fantasy Film Productions

Real world people with porn star names:

Either currently or in the past I've work with the following people:

Nancy Godown
Charity Boyles
Harry Johnson (today!)

I know, only a sick, twisted mind would remember such things.




Sean's Wife Comments:

Serious issues.

Let it snow!

------ Forwarded Message
From: angela
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 9:17:29 -0500
Subject: Re: weather update

I'm going to walk to the office, trudging through the streets and highways on snowshoes, bundled up against the wind and pelting sleet. The harsh winter weather will not keep me from finding missing commas and pink boxes.

Oh, wait, that was a nightmare!

Nah--I'll be home, connected if you need me.



------ Forwarded Message
From: Mike
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 8:37:23 -0500
Subject: What??


Bright blue sky, course is open, hitting the links...

sorry i was dreaming of spring!

can't make it in, working from home

Mike

Reasons You Might Not Be Able to Find a Parking Spot

1. A lot of people have signed up to earn $25 sniffing perfume and filling out surveys at the market research company next door to our office.
2. The PNC bank downstairs is giving away toasters.
3. Half the parking lot is a crime scene because of the pyro who allegedly set another dude on fire.

Somebody else obviously had a worse Monday morning than me.

They're Wearing Tu-Tu's in the Server Room

From: Ray
Subject: Server Updates

On Thursday morning, we're going to restart the server which may interrupt service for a minuet or two.


From: Laura
Subject: Server Updates

Which minuet? I’m hoping you’ll say Mozart.



From: Ray
Subject: Server Updates

It's National Pink Ballet Shoes Day today too, so...

Orange Alert on Pot Pies

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On Oct 10, 2007, at 10:28 AM, Angela wrote:


I noticed yesterday that someone was heating up a Banquet chicken pot pie for lunch.

I heard this morning on CNN that this product was being recalled because it might be tainted with salmonella or E.coli or some other nasty bug.


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Eric Wrote:

Right at the start of pot pie season too! I think terrorists are behind this...

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Renayah wrote:

Thanks Angela... There goes my lunch


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Ray wrote:

It's only on free range native tree european dwelling pot pie. Not the pot pie's living on ranches in the USA.

Is it Review Time?

Stacey,

Just wanted to thank you for the Appreciation Lunch on Friday. It was appreciated immensely and the time spent with the studio people was a good time, although, speaking for myself, I would have rather been working and being productive here at Franklyn Ideas...

Thanks again.

Patty