Page 3 - Under The Roof Avonside Group staff newsletter - August 2018
P. 3
UNDER THE ROOF
sub-contractor, but you may well be the It is my belief that you often build a better,
most respected, and importantly, you won’t stronger relationship with clients by
saddle yourself with impossible deadlines communicating your expectation that you
that result in acrimony later on. will be profitable and expect to make a
Being honest doesn’t mean being profit in your transactions with them. It
negative; look for creative decisions, even may seem obvious, but if you don’t operate
be prepared to ‘try’ and achieve the profitably you stand little or no chance of
impossible for your client – but at least you being around for a long-term partnership.
are doing so with everybody fully So, I am unapologetic about
understanding the situation. communicating this to clients – after all, if
It might well be a cliché, but it doesn’t you are delivering a first-class job, on time
make it any less true that you must for them then you should expect to make a
communicate well and at all levels with profit – and be paid promptly for your
your client, whether that’s good news or services.
otherwise. The phrase ‘bad news early’ All these things should be woven into
rings true because it means all parties have the fabric and culture of your business, and
more opportunity to react and overcome in my experience the best way to deliver
adverse situations. It also runs back into this is to be clear and open to all of your
the honest approach. clients about that values that are important
In today’s modern society with social to you, your business and the people in it.
media and telecommunications it’s never It’s not about fancy mission statements,
been easier to convey messages, but it just a few clear and simple values that you
needs to be underpinned and utilised by have that everybody in your business
each member of your team, and that’s demonstrates day-in-day out.
about taking responsibility. So, whilst not exhaustive, these are
As an industry we have made great the few simple guiding principles I have
strides over the last two decades to ensure operated by to build up a successful
that we work in a safer environment, and business based upon successful client
although this is about ongoing vigilance, it relationships.
relies upon a zero-tolerance culture with
regard to personal safety. By persuing this I hope some of these principles
approach it further supports your client can work for you.
and their employees as well as your own. —
This is absolutely fundamental.
So far, so uncontroversial I can hear
you thinking – well maybe this next
element is a little more thought-provoking.
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