FreeStuffEngine.com - Client or Customer? There Really Is A Difference By Larry Galler

Some people use the words ?client? and ?customer? interchangeably or generically. I?d like you to think a little about these important words because there is a significant difference ? one that can have huge impact upon your long-term business.

According to Merriam-Webster:

Client: One that is under the protection of another

Customer: One that purchases a commodity or service

Here?s the distinction:

In a client / vendor relationship, the buyer is ?under the protection? of the vendor and becomes dependant upon the ongoing care of the vendor.

I think most executives, professionals, and owners of small businesses would benefit from nurturing ?client? relationships. That means:

¡¤ Communicating that they are under your care

¡¤ Being proactive in looking out for their best interests

¡¤ Constantly working on strengthening and deepening the relationship

¡¤ Giving them your best service and value on an ongoing basis

¡¤ Providing value and peace of mind well beyond the commodity value of the transaction

If I am in your care or under your protection and I know it, there is far less likelihood of me defecting to a competitor and far greater likelihood that I will refer others to your care and protection. Isn?t that the relationship you want to build? If so, think through your mindset and that of your staff:

¡¤ Do you actively protect and look out for your client?s well being beyond the value of the purchase?

¡¤ Do you communicate your ongoing care on their behalf?

¡¤ Do you always give them your best service and value?

¡¤ Do your clients feel they are in your constant care?

Building ongoing client relationships means constantly being vigilant to insure you and your staff work to build that ?protection / care / dependence? paradigm with every client contact so they can say, ?I depend on [fill in your name] for [fill in the products and services you provide]. Customers don?t have much reason to stay; clients don?t have reason to stray? that?s the difference.

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added July 9, 2006 Some people use the words ?client? and ?customer? interchangeably or generically. I?d like you to think a little about these important words because there is a significant difference ? one that can have huge impact upon your long-term business. According to Merriam-Webster: Client: One that is under the protection of another Customer: One that purchases a commodity or service Here?s the distinction: In a client / vendor relationship, the buyer is ?under the protection? of the vendor and becomes dependant upon the ongoing care of the vendor. I think most executives, professionals, and owners of small businesses would benefit from nurturing ?client? relationships. That means: ¡¤ Communicating that they are under your care ¡¤ Being proactive in looking out for their best interests ¡¤ Constantly working on strengthening and deepening the relationship ¡¤ Giving them your best service and value on an ongoing basis ¡¤ Providing value and peace of mind well beyond the commodity value of the transaction If I am in your care or under your protection and I know it, there is far less likelihood of me defecting to a competitor and far greater likelihood that I will refer others to your care and protection. Isn?t that the relationship you want to build? If so, think through your mindset and that of your staff: ¡¤ Do you actively protect and look out for your client?s well being beyond the value of the purchase? ¡¤ Do you communicate your ongoing care on their behalf? ¡¤ Do you always give them your best service and value? ¡¤ Do your clients feel they are in your constant care? Building ongoing client relationships means constantly being vigilant to insure you and your staff work to build that ?protection / care / dependence? paradigm with every client contact so they can say, ?I depend on [fill in your name] for [fill in the products and services you provide]. Customers don?t have much reason to stay; clients don?t have reason to stray? that?s the difference.
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