First Word

Have you ever had a client who is such a major PITA you want to run for the hills every time you see his/her name pop up on your cell phone or in your in-box? PITA clients are the type who cannot be satisfied. No matter how much hand-holding, time and effort you put into them the tagline "satisfaction guaranteed" just never applies. You could jump 200 hoops and "how high" -- and this client would still complain about or criticize your efforts. Want the solution? Fire them! Yes, I said the magnificent two-word solution. Don't gasp. Don't cry out: "But I can't afford it." Here is the truth you're right. You can't afford it. You can't afford to have all of your time, effort and resources sucked into a vacuous hole of dissatisfaction. When your time and attention is mired in a PITA you are not open to other possibilities. You are spinning your wheels and most important spending all of your time on the insufferable demands of a PITA....

I finally after resisting it had to break down and text people. It's an interesting floodgate. Once I started doing it, all of my clients and friends must have picked up on the text vibe ... she's texting now let's text her . So, now everyone is texting. Texting has even taken on a form of courtship (among other things). I recently got a surprise text from a male associate out of nowhere. I was surprised to even hear from him. And the texts weren't about work. He was asking me how I was doing and that sort of thing. Pretty soon the texts got a little "flirty" (not really a word) and it dawned on me, this is the new form of the "phone call." Men don't call women anymore. They text them. Think about it. It's almost safer, right? You don't have to face rejection with an actual voice. I also noticed texts are a great way to avoid real conversations, period. Need to talk about something difficult, let's text and that really limits the conv...

The one thing that shocks me the most are business people whose idea of being responsive to customers, clients and associates is maybe (if they're in the mood) a monosyllable yes or no ... if they respond at all. Did you know that being responsive to the needs of your constituents can actually build a reputation for you? Yes, quick, effective and careful responses via text or email or phone can make or break your reputation. How so you ask? Because here is a simple fact -- people do not take kindly to being ignored. When you ignore or neglect your constituents, you send a simple message whether intended or not: you don't care enough to send your very best ... or you don't care at all . When you're responsive, the opposite message gets sent. You do care. People want to do business with people they feel really care about them. They don't want to feel used or discarded. It is especially imperative you be responsive when dealing with clients, especially if they've a...