In a difficult economic climate, it is easy to let go of the standards and take on a client that does not fit your vision of your ideal client. When customers are scarce in the pipeline, it has often seemed attractive to those who come. When you do this, you run the risk of having an angry customer or worse than that is a real energy drainer. Here are ten signs that tell you to avoid the customer.
1. Not in your practice area (s) - The prospect is a seemingly simple question. You could do that but it is out of your training zone. It can be easy or it may look easy because of your lack of experience. If it is outside your area of practice, you will need more time to understand the issues and do the necessary work. Use your time to solidify your brand and practice area (s) is not something that require research and study to learn something that you are not accustomed to and may never need again.
2. Conflicts with other cases, you or other members of your work on.Both # 1 and # 2 should be made during the call screening in most practices can be performed by a staff member.
3. Scope of work is not just for you at this time. The case may be too large or too complex. It could be a time that is not possible for you to manage your data resources. These are opportunities for you to return the work to another lawyer, or ask another lawyer to do pieces of work that are more than you can handle.
Four. Customer expectations are not consistent with reality. Get clear on what is possible, how you work and what you expect from the client. Do not take on a client who wants you to do something you are not comfortable with or are you going to put pressure on you do not want.
5. If the client does not have money or you do not want to pay a reasonable price. Beware of customers who say about your taxes, do not want to give you a warrant, or will not agree on a payment plan.
6. You get a feeling in your gut that this customer will be difficult for you to work with. It may feel illogical. You may not be able to articulate a reason, but a red flag goes up as you talk with potential customers.
7. The client had several other lawyers working on the issue. It is a huge red flag. There is usually a reason that other lawyers left the case. Carefully the question of the client and other lawyers before taking on the client. http://draft.blogger.com
8. The client is not reliable and / or demanding. Customers who are late for meetings, do not show up at meetings and / or expect immediate attention going to work hard and unpleasant for them. They always have excuses for their delay or need to rush. If you take them as a customer, expect to hear many excuses.
9. customer requests that you pass measures to reduce its costs. Once you have standard procedures for your practice, do not allow a client to get you to lower them. However some clients do need to reduce costs and may wonder if there are ways that the client can do some of the work itself. Only agree with this if it is something you are comfortable and if it seems to be a reliable customer, someone who responds to the 9 other criteria.
10. The client does not listen to you and does not seem to understand the initial instructions, customers need to work with you on their case. They'll need to gather information, go to the appointment and address questions as you recommend. Potential customers seem distracted or are most interested in telling you the gory details, but to listen, behave this way while working on their case. Determine if the time required to pass through is worth it. http://draft.blogger.com
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (coach of attorney) and a career transition coach and the publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an e-zine. Subscribe to these free publications per month to its website and http://www.asparker.com/samples.html assessed values as a gift. The work becomes more meaningful and enjoyable when you work from your values. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com It can also be reached at 781-598-0388.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alvah_Parker
1. Not in your practice area (s) - The prospect is a seemingly simple question. You could do that but it is out of your training zone. It can be easy or it may look easy because of your lack of experience. If it is outside your area of practice, you will need more time to understand the issues and do the necessary work. Use your time to solidify your brand and practice area (s) is not something that require research and study to learn something that you are not accustomed to and may never need again.
2. Conflicts with other cases, you or other members of your work on.Both # 1 and # 2 should be made during the call screening in most practices can be performed by a staff member.
3. Scope of work is not just for you at this time. The case may be too large or too complex. It could be a time that is not possible for you to manage your data resources. These are opportunities for you to return the work to another lawyer, or ask another lawyer to do pieces of work that are more than you can handle.
Four. Customer expectations are not consistent with reality. Get clear on what is possible, how you work and what you expect from the client. Do not take on a client who wants you to do something you are not comfortable with or are you going to put pressure on you do not want.
5. If the client does not have money or you do not want to pay a reasonable price. Beware of customers who say about your taxes, do not want to give you a warrant, or will not agree on a payment plan.
6. You get a feeling in your gut that this customer will be difficult for you to work with. It may feel illogical. You may not be able to articulate a reason, but a red flag goes up as you talk with potential customers.
7. The client had several other lawyers working on the issue. It is a huge red flag. There is usually a reason that other lawyers left the case. Carefully the question of the client and other lawyers before taking on the client. http://draft.blogger.com
8. The client is not reliable and / or demanding. Customers who are late for meetings, do not show up at meetings and / or expect immediate attention going to work hard and unpleasant for them. They always have excuses for their delay or need to rush. If you take them as a customer, expect to hear many excuses.
9. customer requests that you pass measures to reduce its costs. Once you have standard procedures for your practice, do not allow a client to get you to lower them. However some clients do need to reduce costs and may wonder if there are ways that the client can do some of the work itself. Only agree with this if it is something you are comfortable and if it seems to be a reliable customer, someone who responds to the 9 other criteria.
10. The client does not listen to you and does not seem to understand the initial instructions, customers need to work with you on their case. They'll need to gather information, go to the appointment and address questions as you recommend. Potential customers seem distracted or are most interested in telling you the gory details, but to listen, behave this way while working on their case. Determine if the time required to pass through is worth it. http://draft.blogger.com
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (coach of attorney) and a career transition coach and the publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an e-zine. Subscribe to these free publications per month to its website and http://www.asparker.com/samples.html assessed values as a gift. The work becomes more meaningful and enjoyable when you work from your values. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com It can also be reached at 781-598-0388.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alvah_Parker
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