Easy Money, Easy Loss
While speaking with clients this past week, I've wondered a few times if I should simply give them what they ask for. Doing a job is easier when fulfilling an exact request.
One of my strengths (or weaknesses) is identifying flaws and imagining better solutions. I get excited about the greater possibilities. I think I may have talked one customer out of a contract because he was asking for the wrong solution, but he appreciated the honesty.
As we narrow our value propositions as a company, I want our customers to know that we're not just here to make a paycheck. We're here to move the needle; to change the bottom line for you.
The folks who call day after day from Meta, Google, LinkedIn, X, and countless other affiliates will advise expanding your audience, adding more keywords, or increasing your budget. The website agencies will suggest that SEO and UX improvements will fix everything. Marketing companies will recommend creating different messages based on unique personas. SAAS companies just want to get you in the door with an automatic renewal.
Everyone has a benchmark leading to their performance review. But the benchmark should come from customer satisfaction, more-so than from one’s boss.
In the past years, I've hired many companies and agencies offering the services mentioned above. Character and viability have always been initial benchmarks for me. Character is challenging with a revolving door, which affects viability.
The revolving door has caused issues a number of times. However, character is the most interesting aspect, as it often results in the partner or vendor holding up their end of the deal, even if it means losing money. After a contract is signed, one, neither, or both parties may end up with the desired results.
Do you trust the people/companies you hire? Take the time to figure that out before making a decision. The opposite is true as well, but I'm still learning that aspect since I'm now new to the other side of the hiring process.
There’s always a bigger picture.
