How can you build trust with a new client?

In my media and presentation workshops, I tell of the time I ignored my own advice and wore a dress instead of an outfit with a waistband or pockets. No pockets meant I had to run to the bathroom to clip the mic pack onto my underwear. But after the event, the bathroom was closed and the hall filled with the next speaker's group, so I had to find a wall in a hallway where I could discreetly take off the pack. Sadly, just as I put my hand up my dress to grab the pack, the event organizer came around the corner, saw my hand tugging at my underwear and bellowed: "Have you got a wedgie?" To make matters worse, I realized that the wall I'd chosen for cover was actually a window, and I'd just mooned everyone waiting for the elevator below.

In the many years I have been supporting partners and customers, I have determined that the best way to build trust is to be open and honest while setting realistic expectations. If you don’t know, say so. If you are asked for a delivery date, provide an achievable one. When the customer speaks, listen - and do your best to never, ever interrupt them. Share your expectation that they provide the same respect and candor. Trust is a two way street. Follow the above and you can create the trust required for success. If managed correctly, it will help provide a career full of lasting business relationships that can be rewarding and beneficial for all parties involved.

One of the toughest things to overcome is the idea that you have to be just like your boss, mentor, hero, or peer. The truth is that you are at your best when you are yourself. It’s not the best way, it’s the only way.

It's important to do a bit of homework before you meet your client . This provides a perspective for oneself to understand where the client is coming from wrt to the discussion. Authenticity is given and the client will be able to gauge that based on your follow up conversations. "How much does your conversation focus on them vs what you want to do /position'

As a business development executive i find autenticicm to be crucial for gaining long-term success. I believe in Transparency Being honest about what my company can and cannot deliver, as transparency builds credibility. And i work on being Reliable and deliver on my promises consistently, i.e meeting deadlines, provide accurate information, and follow through on my commitments.

I feel other than being authentic, this is one of the most important traits. Consistency builds trust. When people know they can rely on you then they tend to trust you.

Great... I agree with you, being truthful will help you gain customers trust. Making promises you cannot keep can lead to mistrust. I also suggest you have a system in place that ensures quality consistency and a procedure to deal with complaint.

I use three systems to keep me on track. I have a ticket system to handle my caseload (osTicket), and my CRM/Sales system is Odoo. My third secret weapon is the calendar on my phone. When ever I arrange a meeting with a client, it goes in the calendar right away. The same calendar syncs between my phone, my computer, and Teams. As I gain trust with my clients, my role can easily expand. In one case, it was important to draw a line between checking out which systems seemed to be GDPR compliant, and actually then becoming the defacto GDPR registrar for the client. As I mentioned in a previous contribution, being open and honest about who I am also sets out my boundaries over what is my role, and what is not.

I try to be at my office at least 25 to 30 minutes before they arrive, so that I can meet them in the lobby. Or show up about 5 or 10 minutes early, for the appointment. And yes I have had a few times that I show up right at the appointment time or a minute or two after. But that is part of life.

+ One point , I have always found it helpful for any project is the concept of keeping a back up before a commitment. ? A proper due diligence of client background helps us to understand our internal competencies compared to client expectations.

I focus on building long term relationships to obtain my clients trust. By doing so, I listen to their challenges and needs. How can I bring value beyond what is expected of me? Then, demonstrate my commitment and over deliver.

Most important point for creating a long term relationship with not only our clients, but with everybody. Anybody would avoid arrogance/ whose EQ level is not upto the mark. In order to understand how we can contribute better, it is must that we are compassionate to others, are good listeners and willing to help someone always. Servant leadership is the way forward and not autocratic leadership. Similarly for clients, it is the "pull" concept which helps and not the "push" concept, in today's global scenario.

Small Talk is a great way to get to know a client. As it gives you a little insight into them, you can find something in common with your own life and family that you can build a relationship with them.

I would add be respectful however do not hesitate to disagree on points that you know are critical and the Point of view you have is different . The key is to also be true to oneself in the engagement.. ultimately it's about ensuring that the client understands that you respect them however you will not just say yes to everything for the heck of it.

Building trust hinges on being respectful and courteous. This means recognizing others' worth, using appropriate language and demeanour, and respecting personal boundaries.

It is so easy to want to interject when listening to show you are paying attention and actively listening to your client, but I find that often makes my clients shut down... it comes off as you are more interested in telling your own story... be comfortable with silence if need be... let them dictate how the session goes and ask clarifying questions to show you were paying attention rather than interjecting with your own anecdotes.

Sometimes, I avoid bringing up the word "God" when I have to administer an oath with a new client, because of the type of notarization. Just as it is a good idea to not talk about politics with a client

In simple terms respect needs to be "earned". One cannot "demand" respect. And if one has to earn respect, one needs to learn how to respect ..not only for our clients, but with anyone .

As a trusted partner, it is important to have a good understanding about the challenges faced by the client and the journey they are on, before offering advice and solutions. Also, being supportive of the clients agenda and helping them do their jobs better, will surely result in them relying on you and building trust.

This is sometimes hard for me to do, as a Notary Public. When I have a client ask me about a part of the document or how to fill it out. I have to tell them that they need to either read the instructions that came with the document or call the people who sent them the document. Sometimes there is something that they forget to let the client know when they send a document that is from their state to the client who lives in another state. I don't give legal advice, as I'm not an Attorney. Not every state has the same notary wording or uses a Jurat notary form.

The self-awareness and continual review of personal self-care and compassion tools box is important and I suspect under-emphasised. Peer support facilitation tends to attract individuals who are natural givers and empaths. As a peer support facilitator and mentor I in turn have my own peer and mentor network and wise council to keep me personally accountable.

Be transparent Provide actual progress report to your clients while working for them, discuss hurdles and open for suggestions from them, let them feel your actual efforts and commitments by transparency.

Be open Meaning do not make a shield in your brain that things will not work that people will not deliver or else. A solution can come from the strangest idea, person or situation. Therefore make sure you have no pre judgement about anyone or anything.