Saying NO:

For a Libra, saying no is not easy. I like to have balance and harmony, make people happy. So saying no is often an exercise of will power for me, but it’s essential for keeping sanity. It’s taken me many years, but saying no for the right reasons has helped to protect myself, Portent, my internal teams and clients. Sometimes it’s saying, “No, we can’t do that” but I always try to say “We can’t complete that by the time your are asking for, but we can by x date”.

When clients ask for things that don’t make sense in marketing or within their strategy, I work with the team to come up with an alternative solution to present to the client. Saying “While we can’t do the specific thing you asked, we can do this other option that is well-aligned with your strategy and should work well”.

Being Nosy:

Around the office I’ve been labeled as “Portent Dictionary” or “All-Knowing Portent Goddess”. How did I get those titles? Because I like to know as much as possible about what’s going on. I have been through MANY different types of projects in my 10+ years here and I like to know the process, the steps required, and I ask a lot of questions. I like to get my hands dirty in projects and do things like add in content, or know how to update pages so I can train clients. This means I’ve learned about the different CMS systems we’ve used, the email newsletter programs clients use and I know just enough HTML to be dangerous (often asking my Front End Developers for help when I muck something up).

Talking on the Telephone:

What? What is that? I know, in this very digital era, sometimes it is hard to pick up the phone and call someone. Not only do people rely on email and texting, but its amazing how many people shy away from the phone when it rings, as if someone is going to come through the phone and grab them. But I find it really helps clear the air and is usually an easy way to get clarity on big questions.

If a client goes silent for a few days, we exchange emails a few times around one question, I have multiple team members in various locations, or its been a few weeks since talking to a client, sometimes just the tone of their voice can clear things up if there is tension. We are so inundated with email, texts, digital noise that a phone call can be comforting.

Being a Tattletale:

No one likes a tattletale, but sometimes its essential to clear the air, get things done and find solutions. I’m not saying I sit there in meetings and then go to people’s bosses and say “So and so isn’t doing something”. I’m talking about when you have issues on a project, you then address them with those people and their boss or another member of the team and we brainstorm on the issue, work on a solution and come away a more cohesive team.

These are just a few examples of behaviors usually thought of to be bad, that are useful tools when working with projects, teams and clients. Do you have any that you’d like to share?

The post Bad Behaviors That Make Me a Better Project Manager appeared first on Portent.

Meeting a client for the first time is also like preparing for a first date – and a blind one, at that.
Just thinking about this new patron gives me butterflies. Clients can have some interesting characteristics. What will they be like? What are their expectations? Will they address me as “Mr.” when they see my name? (Though, I accept all responsibility for choosing to go by Chris instead of Christine)

But then I remember that the fate of my first impression lies with me. So I plan. Carefully, strategically, intelligently – just like I did the first time I met my husband. And what are my secrets of success?

Time Management

Lesson #1: Don’t wait three days to call your client back. And an email or text message does not substitute for a phone call. Let them know that you have done your due diligence – industry research, competitive analysis and the like – and are excited to meet them.

Pro tip: Be sober. Calling drunk from a bar with a group of your friends never turns out quite how you planned it.

Organization

A date doesn’t plan itself; neither should your marketing strategy. Define an objective, set goals and evaluate your progress. Demonstrate through each task that you are prepared and working toward the ultimate goal. Much like a first date, planning is essential (especially if you plan on dining on a Saturday night).

Pro tip: Restaurants don’t reserve themselves.

Communication

Sure, the first time you meet can be nerve-wracking. Create an outline of important things you want to cover to focus your time together. It’s helpful to have the next steps planned as well. Let them know when they can expect to hear from you and what you expect to achieve in the next phase.

Pro tip: Unless you are Kanye West, don’t talk about yourself in third person.

Discipline

What your mother taught you about first date manners will never fail you during an initial client meeting. Don’t be on time – be early. Make eye contact during conversation. And remember to be honest on what you can and cannot deliver.

Pro tip: Holding the chair out for your client is not necessary.

With these four tips, you are poised for success. My last word of advice? When you say you will call, be sure that you call. No one enjoys waiting by the phone, especially your client.

The post Seducing the Client: Four Tips for Making a Good First Impression appeared first on Portent.