How to treat clients ethically
Ethics affect every area of your business and being an ethical company relates to everything that you do;
from the way you treat your staff, to your relationship with your suppliers. But perhaps one of the most important areas of ethical practice is the way that you treat your clients.Honesty is always the best policy
Transparency, honesty and authenticity are key to ethical business practice and will be a vital part of your relationship with clients. Transparency builds trust and trust leads to good working relationships. It is important to be clear from the start whether it is describing the service/product that your company provides, what it entails and even how much it costs. You should ensure that all costs are agreed in advance of any work and that any possible expenses are included. There is nothing worse than agreeing a fee with a company and then having to pay extra for travel, postage or meeting costs which were not decided upon. If you are up front with your clients and answer all of their questions from the start it will build a platform for an ongoing relationship.Communication, communication, communication
Speaking to clients regularly, always being available, friendly and helpful may sound simple but you’d be surprised at how many companies neglect this simplest of concepts. Regular contact will make your client feel valued and show that you are taking an active interest in their company. We ensure that we maintain regular contact with all of our clients and never let a week go by when we don’t contact them in some way. We also encourage our clients to contact us with any questions or concerns that they may have, even if they aren’t directly related to the work that we are doing for them. Maintaining open channels of communication that work both ways will build ongoing relationships with your clients and everyone involved in your company will feel good when this level of service is delivered. Laying clear boundaries
An honest and ethical approach should also lay clear boundaries and manage your clients’ expectations. It is no use promising the earth if you are not going to deliver it. Your clients will appreciate an honest approach that accurately defines what you will be able to achieve for their business. Of course this approach is also a good thing for your company as it does not set unrealistic expectations that you will struggle to live up to.
Expert Advice by Kim Stoddart at www.bluerocketgroup.com
Read how to demonstrate you are a responsible business
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