Nurturing client relationships.

Nurturing client relationships is every bit as important as delivering projects.

Here are four practical strategies, you can use to maintain and grow your key relationships while delivering high-quality work.

#1 Add-value with ‘small favours'.

By providing support outside of the immediate scope, you can increase the chances of securing more work through high-quality delivery. Look for opportunities to do ‘small favours' and add value to your client's experience.

#2 Highlight 'issues' for attention later.

Organize meetings to discuss your client's future plans and show them what a good plan looks like by using mini-benchmarks and audits. By highlighting potential issues and offering solutions, you can position yourself as a valuable partner in their success.

#3 Always be present (even when not).

Giving away useful tools and checklists, as well as lending physical things like books, can help create visible reminders of you and your value.

#4 Ask for referrals.

Strengthen bonds and build key relationships by asking for referrals early and often. Make sure to know who you want to meet and ask for help.

Don't let project delivery take you away from nurturing your most productive relationships!