What can clients do to get the most out of their service provider?
A client needs to allow the professional creativity and have some faith and trust in them. They can’t handcuff them. You don’t tell a doctor not to run blood tests this time because you don’t want to pay for them.
A provider is a human being. If you complain about every bill, look for discounts and pay late repeatedly, you are going to move to the bottom of their list of priorities. The client-provider relationship is a two-way street. Being a good client means asking the right questions but not arguing every item every month. On the other hand, creating a list of expectations and due dates helps avoid disputes, and constant open communication goes a very long way.
What can clients do to optimize the efficiency of these professionals?
Professionals and clients need to communicate when determining how to approach a project and what it might cost, and conduct monthly updates before an invoice goes out. Clients need to know if they’re going to get a bill for thousands and why the bill is that particular amount. Clients hate surprises. To avoid surprises, they have to take responsibility for those things they can do themselves. For example, if they offer clerical help for the lawyer or organize their materials the way the attorney or CPA wants it, clients can save a lot of money. If they follow instructions relative to organization materials they give to a professional, they cut that person’s time in half.
Be an educated consumer. The service provider should communicate everything in advance and constantly allow the client to be in charge. That dissipates that automatic distrust.
Glenn M. Gelman, CPA, MST, CFF, is managing director of Glenn M. Gelman & Associates, Certified Public Accountants and Business Consultants. Reach him at (714) 667-2600 x214 or [email protected], or visit www.gmgcpa.com.
