It's All About Managing Expectations...

This came to me in the morning, during a short discussion about agency woes with colleagues.

Sometimes the client-agency relationship is like a boy-girl relationship.

At the beginning, the boy thinks the world of the girl and woos her with full determination. He will do whatever it takes to win her heart. When he does and in certain instances, manages to get into her pants, the thrill of the chase disappears. She might have imagined a whole lifetime with him but unfortunately, she was just another girl that was pursued and conquered.

Likewise when it comes to some agencies, they will promise the world to potential clients with limitless assurance. After the contract is secured and a few jobs down the road, you're just another billing to them. Calls won't be answered. Emails won't be responded to. Deliverables dwindle. Things just take a backseat. Decelerate to first gear. All of a sudden, the 'love' isn't quite there anymore.

As always my belief is, do not burn the whole forest because of one tree. Thank God (and I'll attest) not all men are like this and similarly I know of good agencies who have been consistent from day one when it comes to client servicing and performance. They do not try too hard to impress at the start but choose to adopt the genuine approach in what they have to offer and their capabilities at hand. To them, every client (whether an account is worth millions or a couple of thousands only) is fundamentally a client and should be given the same preferential treatment regardless.

That's all we require at the end of the day. We don't need the stars and the moon pledged to us. Add in mutual understanding, throw in good intentions plus a positive future outlook on the partnership direction, minus unforeseen circumstances and there you have it, a recipe for the long haul.

It's Frrrrrrriiiiiiday! And Fridays tend to have a fabulous feel to it, even if nothing eventful happens.