Do your clients see you as a leader?

In re-reading a summary of Jay Abraham’s “Strategy of Preeminence” I was struck by his first lesson – that of the need for business people to be leaders in the eyes of their clients.

And by leaders he does not mean dictatorial style; he means people who know and understand their clients and are confident enough to speak their mind and say directly and honestly what they feel is right for the client. No beating around the bush in the hope that something you say the client will agree with.

Jay Abraham is the world leader in marketing advice. So when he speaks I listen.

So how do our clients see you?

Are you the leader they rely on for honest advice when challenges arise? Do you tell them what you think needs to be done even when you know your advice may not be palatable? Or do you say what you know the client wants to hear?

My website is designed by Admission. They call themselves a Digital Marketing Agency. The reason I continue to use them is simple – they are leaders. They research the market in which I operate and give me fearless advice, much of which I would never have thought of. And they don’t concern themselves whether I will like the advice or not because they are leaders in their field.

So here are three key things to do for your clients so you stand out as a leader:-

1. Don’t dump information on them unless you tell them what to do with it and why you are giving it.
2. Make them your centre of attention by getting to understand their challenges at an emotional level, not just a rational one.
3. Present solutions, not strategies. Your clients are looking for leaders who are bold enough to tell them what to do with credibility and authority.

So what things are you doing to ensure your clients see you as a leader?

The Referral Master®