One of my top clients loves that I'm nosy!

So I was walking along a very busy Oxford Street, this time of year about 10 years ago, feeling a little deflated, having just been to a client meeting that hadn't gone as planned. Walking towards the station, early evening, and gazing at all the sparkly shop windows...

a) because I'm nosy!

b) because we supply digital signage and interactive displays

c) because their marketing was working, and they were 'drawing me in'.

Then I came upon an shop full of contractors/workmen busily installing electrics, plastering, painting etc, but it gave no indication of what the shop would be.

So this is where the nosy bit comes in again, however, when discussing it with my sales team, I like to use the term 'driven'. I thought I'd do what any 'driven' opportunity seeker would do, I popped in to speak with them. To my delight the contractor and I chatted for about 10 minutes about the store plans and how the finished store would look and we exchanged cards (and have since worked with them on other mutual projects).

Although that really cheered my otherwise slightly flat ending to the day, I went home and emailed the Head of Operations at the clients, 'very briefly' informing him of my visit to the Oxford St store, and informing him that I had spoken with the contractor, and have some ideas that he may find useful. He emailed me back asking me to contact him, which I did the following morning, and although the opportunity on that particular store had already passed he liked the innovation of our solutions, and the unusual approach I took.

(which incidentally, this level of curiosity has been surpassed following a chance meeting with an International Retail & Development Director) last year in a lift at Heathrow Airport-when my ski-ing accident resulting in a leg brace literally BROKE THE ICE in our brief meeting-it was the perfect elevator pitch opportunity, however, we have yet to engage, so perhaps I will forward this article for his comments!) Anyway I digress...

The exciting part!

He invited me in to demonstrate our solutions to himself and some of their Marketing Team, and show some of the innovative projects we had already completed (we work mainly with clients who understand the importance of using cutting edge technology to communicate visually with their audience, and stay ahead of the competition)-sorry little pitch there!

Fast forward 10 years - and this client REMAINS in our top 10 client list for innovation and store design. Our relationship has changed, our products and offerings have of course moved with the times and in fact we have also moved their head office technology and designed and fitted several Boardroom solutions, to include full HD Video Conferencing.

The point of this story is that sometimes life throws curveballs, and it isn't those moments that define you, it's how you react to them. Don't let a meeting or a call that hasn't met your expectations define you next call, or your next meeting, or your next day.

a) be nosy/driven

b) be bold/brave

c) listen and hear your client

d) help them find their problem! and solve it together!

If you're passionate about delivering your message visually to a wider audience, using Digital Signage and your Visual Layer, I'd love to hear more about your plans (because I'm confident you'll love what we do and because I'm nosy!)