Winning the client relationship game (without selling your soul) — FOWD 2013

Post on 27-Jan-2015

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We often villainize clients — complain about their unreasonable demands, resent scope creep, cringe at their attitudes and cluelessness. While some clients are gems that entrust us with creative freedom and unlimited budgets, most of the time there are tensions that inevitably come up in the process. While many of us would rather not deal with the human interactions that our profession requires, there are certain philosophies, habits, questions, and tools we can use to almost guarantee success and reward. We can expect our clients to be our allies and best advocates and stay true to our integrity and vision. All while not selling our soul.

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Winning the client relationship game(Without selling your soul)

@mayabruck // www.pixotech.com

T R U T H

Relationships are tough.

The design process is weird and

complicated because it involves

people, who are weird and

complicated.

M A R K B O U L T O N

A L I T T L E B I T O F B A C K G R O U N D

W H Y W E ’ R E H E R E :

O N E

How to pick good clients

T W O

Aha Moments

T H R E E

Tools & Techniques

# B E ST C L I E N T S

@jpamental

Engaged, interested & passionate about what they do!

@winterbureau

Want to involve you in the full scope of a project so you can be a

valuable collaborator.

@CateKompare

have realistic expectations for cost and timelines. And good a!itudes.

@JasonSpeaking

The most important char. is mutual respect. They respect you and your cra!. You respect them

and their needs.

@mayabruck

Recognize the value of your services and are responsive,

passionate partners.

A N D N O W , A ST O RY

A N D N O W , A N OT H E R ST O RY

You’re so focused on not doing

things wrong that you’re not

focused on doing things right.

M Y A W E S O M E C O L L E A G U E DA N I E L L E

A P P R OA C H C L I E N T S W I T H H O N E ST Y & C O N F I D E N C E

Dear designers, clients from hell

only work with designers from hell.

Reflect on your life.

A N DY R U T L E D G E

T O O L S & T E C H N I Q U E S

Everything you do during the the

course of a project has an e"ect on

your client’s expectations.

You can either choose to lead the

conversation or not.

R O B H A R R

Starting a job without a contract is

like pu!ing a condom on a"er you’ve

taken a home pregnancy test. It’s just

not going to help you at that point.

M I K E M O N T E I R O

F*ck You. Pay Me. M I K E M O N T E I R O

From Creative Mornings SF

A N D N O W , M O R E T O O L S

T H E T O O L S

+ Be thorough during sales

+ Require a contract

+ Commit to budget transparency

+ Communicate & document changes

+ Hold weekly meetings

T O S U M I T U P

Remember that dogs clients are a

reflection of us, so when we work

with them, we are also working on

ourselves.

C E SA R M I L L A N , Dog Whisperer

Thank you!

@mayabruck // www.pixotech.com