Depending on your business and your job role, you may or may not have much direct client interaction. This article is aimed at people who have significant amounts of client interaction already or who have the possibility of having client interaction.

The Client. This simple phrase can turn some people's insides to jelly. Their knees begin to shake, and they start to get cold sweats. To some, it feels like the nice warm safety blanket has just been ripped away from them and now they are completely exposed. Client interactions can be nerve wracking, but it doesn't have to be so. In fact, you should look at it this way: every client experience is a new chance to further strengthen your relationship with the client.

There are many ways to build a strong client relationship. A good starting point is to work on the little things. For example, be punctual. If you have a meeting with your client at 10:00, be there at 9:55. It never hurts to be a little early, and although it doesn't seem like it, this is one of those little things that will really stick out in the clients mind. This is especially true if your client is usually a busy person, as their time will be at a premium. Busy people appreciate contacts who they can count on to be on time, as they probably have a tight schedule for the rest of the day.

Another good idea is to dress to either the clients standards, or your company's standards, whichever one is more formal. If you work in a business casual workplace (which more and more people do), and your client is business formal, dress business formal when you have meetings with them, regardless of the location of the meeting (either at your office or theirs). If you are going to be doing professional work for your client, for which they are probably paying a good amount of money, you have to look the part. This will make the client feel more confident that you can get the job done for them, and get it done right. With the number of businesses who operate a casual work environment growing, standing out as well dressed can be a big bonus for you.

Furthermore, having informal meetings outside of your formal meetings with the client can really help your status as their trusted advisor. For example, say you are in their office for something else, if you can, stop by their cube or office and see how they are doing. Even if it ends up being just 5 minutes of small talk, it goes a long way for your standing in the clients eyes. Better yet, you might get some information that was not shared in the formal meeting that can even further help you serve their business needs. It also might help you to learn more details about their business, which also helps you to provide service to them better, and possibly explore new areas that you can help them with.

One word of caution: be careful that you don't become too casual with client, remember they are still the client. I'll say it again, at the end of the day, they are still the client. It is very easy to slip across that line if your not careful. This can lead to disaster, so make sure that you always keep in the back of your mind that THEY ARE THE CLIENT.

Kevin Augustine is the administrator for Workplace Life - Where Every Cubicle Has a Window. Visit us for helpful articles on common Microsoft Office software such as Microsoft Word and Excel. We also have articles on career management, surviving in the office, professional email tips, and bits of humor to lighten up your day.

http://www.workplacelife.com