How do you build strong relationships with your budget and forecast users or clients?

1 Understand their needs

The first step to building a strong relationship with your users or clients is to understand their needs and expectations. What are their goals, challenges, and priorities? How do they use your budget and forecast to support their decision making? What are the key drivers and assumptions that affect their performance? How do they prefer to receive and review your reports and analysis? By asking these questions, you can tailor your budget and forecast to their specific context and requirements, and show that you care about their success.

2 Communicate clearly and regularly

The second step to building a strong relationship with your users or clients is to communicate clearly and regularly. This means not only sharing your budget and forecast results, but also explaining your methodology, data sources, assumptions, and risks. You should also provide commentary and recommendations based on your findings, and highlight any changes or updates that may affect your projections. By communicating clearly and regularly, you can establish trust and credibility, and avoid any surprises or misunderstandings.

3 Solicit feedback and input

The third step to building a strong relationship with your users or clients is to solicit feedback and input. This means not only listening to their comments and questions, but also inviting them to contribute their insights and perspectives to your budget and forecast process. You should also seek their approval and validation of your assumptions and results, and incorporate their suggestions and corrections as appropriate. By soliciting feedback and input, you can create a collaborative and interactive relationship, and enhance the quality and relevance of your budget and forecast.

4 Deliver on time and on budget

The fourth step to building a strong relationship with your users or clients is to deliver on time and on budget. This means not only meeting your deadlines and expectations, but also managing your resources and scope effectively. You should also monitor and report on your progress and performance, and flag any issues or risks that may impact your delivery. By delivering on time and on budget, you can demonstrate your professionalism and reliability, and ensure that your users or clients are satisfied and confident with your budget and forecast.

5 Follow up and follow through

The fifth step to building a strong relationship with your users or clients is to follow up and follow through. This means not only providing ongoing support and assistance, but also reviewing and evaluating your budget and forecast outcomes and impacts. You should also seek feedback and testimonials from your users or clients, and celebrate and acknowledge their achievements and successes. By following up and follow through, you can maintain and strengthen your relationship, and identify opportunities for improvement and growth.

6 Learn and grow

The sixth and final step to building a strong relationship with your users or clients is to learn and grow. This means not only reflecting on your experience and lessons learned, but also seeking new knowledge and skills to enhance your budget and forecast capabilities. You should also network and connect with other budget and forecast professionals, and share your best practices and challenges. By learning and growing, you can keep up with the latest trends and developments, and add more value and innovation to your budget and forecast.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?