1. Listen

Use active listening skills to understand a customer’s needs and expectations. Give the client your undivided attention and acknowledge the message with an open mind. Do not interrupt and offer solutions before the client is finished speaking. If you are meeting in-person be sure to observe the client’s body language, use eye contact, and respond with a genuine answer.

2. Follow up & Follow Through

It is important to take note of important details and get clarification on any questions you may have. Summarize the most important points of the conversation in a follow up email to ensure that you have not missed anything.  If you do not know the answer, let the client know you will consult your team. If you say you are going to do something, you’d better do it. Follow through establishes trust and dependability. Keeping in contact with a client after the project is complete will keep you top of mind.

3. Learn About Your Customer

Keep on top of industry trends. If you see something in the newspaper or online that would be of interest to your client, share it with them. Taking an interest in your client and their business lets them know that they are important.

4. Be a problem solver

Being a good problem solver requires creativity, optimism, and the ability to cast your ego aside. Not all problems can be solved in a linear fashion; sometimes we must work backwards or even upside down to work towards a solution. Keeping an open mind and staying optimistic will allow you to look at the problem from every angle. Enlist the help of your team; two heads are better than one. In the end, the goal is to find a solution.