Blog & Event Industry Insights | UKSV

The importance of client relationships

Written by Neil Coombes | Apr 13, 2018 1:41:00 PM

As an Agency, client relationships form the foundations of everything we do. Simply delivering a fantastic result for your client isn’t what sets you apart from the rest of the market. Some of the strongest client relationships transcend business requirements, built upon a firm foundation of trust, mutual benefit, and value.

2-WAY RELATIONSHIP

A one-sided relationship deteriorates quickly. Agencies won’t put up with poor treatment just to make a few quid, and if the client doesn’t get what they want, they’ll pull the plug or look for support elsewhere.

To develop a strong bond the relationship needs to be a two-way street – when there is mutual benefit, great things can happen. If your agency looks beyond the project in front of them and can get a sense of the wider needs of you as an individual and your organisation, a more proactive and creative approach can be achieved.

ADDING VALUE

Understanding where an agency can add value is critical to building a lasting and supportive relationship. A good agency will deliver against a brief, a great agency will deliver beyond the brief and suggest new ways of doing things and solutions you may never have thought of.

A strong relationship is also invaluable when the ride is not so smooth. Having a relationship built on honesty and trust can be a godsend when having to broach tricky subjects. How much easier is it to discuss difficult topics when both parties really understand each other?

BE INQUISITIVE

By investing the time to ask the right questions at the right time and really listen to the answers it becomes easy to integrate the skills and expertise in the right areas to become an extension of a client’s team and a trusted advisor and partner.