while I don't look into the suppliers financial situation too closely, I agree with virtually all points. Let's face it - we all want long term relationships - it's easier in the long run. Therefore we need to be upfront in the 'courting' stage.
I agree that a Client's Bill of Rights is a good idea. For the most part, I don't think these particular rights are a good start.
Don't give potential new clients too much information about your company. If you are any good, your portfolio will speak for itself. Most potential client calls come with a referral from an existing client or project anyway. When I get inquiries from potential clients without a referral, they are usually looking for the lowest price.
In these cases, there is no expectation of confidentiality with the information you give out about your design firm so choose your words carefully.
I don't want new clients bothering existing clients for references. All of my clients are busy professionals and don't have time to help me promote my business.
Financial information should always be kept confidential. ALWAYS. All client information should be kept confidential as well.
Clients pay extra for exclusivity. Exclusivity is an unreasonable request and a bad idea. Exclusivity is one of the defining differences between being an employee and having your own business. An exclusive client can stop outsourcing work at any time and if you have passed up opportunities to work with others in their industry, all the expertise you've gained will go to waste.
Choose your clients wisely and don't let them dictate how you run your business. Obviously honesty, integrity, competitive pricing and the ability to meet deadlines are important to giving good service, but some of those things vary based on the project and client ability.
Be honest, don't promise more than you can deliver and don't be fooled into thinking that employers and clients have the same rights.
Quote: "I'd like to know if I am your biggest client or your smallest. My preference is to be somewhere in between; I don't want you depending largely on me for work and I don't want to be a small fry in your operation."
That's just irrational. Like it or not, SOMEBODY has to be the smallest client.
Submitted by brettaylor on Wed, 03/13/2002 - 13:37.
After having read the designer's bill of rights first I feel that there is a rather large amount of contradictions between it and the client's bill of rights. One should reflect the other, not combat it.
Unfortunately, this is exactly why doing business with corporations has been quite taxing for many freelance designers. The mentality is often of ownership of the designer once work begins.
This bill of rights is laughable. Any client that asked me for half of these things would no longer be a client of mine. I have to like whom I'm working with before I progress with any design (short of being poor and desperate!) and a client who listed such requests would not be someone I would feel comfortable with.
"I have the right to references"
That's what a portfolio is for.
"I'd like to know if I am your biggest client or your smallest"
This request is absurd. If word of mouth, a solid portfolio or a solid example of talent attracted the prospect client then why ask a question that has no bearing on the outcome? Again, simply absurd.
"I have a right to inquire about your financial stability"
Most businesses aren't even comfortable supplying a reliable budget but it is okay for them to rifle through a designer's numbers? So far this bill of rights reflects the types of clients that set off alarms to any designer worth his/her salt.
"I expect that you will not accept work from anyone that might be considered a competitor, unless I agree in advance"
Fair enough. Then I expect that the client will not hire any other designer, creative professional, relative, friend, mammal, vegetable or mineral that will assist in a contract, in-house or pro-bono capacity for any design without my prior agreement. Or we could simply agree to function on a level of reality and sanity.
"I don't want to speak to an account rep or sales rep if they can't help me with my problem or need"
This request exemplifies the type of pushy client that doesn't respect communication etiquette. If a firm or freelance designer has setup a system of communication that involves an account rep then that is the method of communication. Period. Just as many designers don't wish to deal with micromanagement chaos it is reasonable and acceptable for the client to parlay their needs through the proper channels to avoid dealing with too many mouths and not enough ears.
To be candid (as though I haven't been already!)I'd like to submit that there isn't a need for a client bill of rights as much as there is for the designer bill of rights.
Designers are constantly subjected to corporate nonsense. Remember, the general mentality is that we just make pretty pictures and they do all the real work. With this kind of mentality it is clear that clients are rarely the ones in need of defending.
in short - this is what I would expect from my suppliers
while I don't look into the suppliers financial situation too closely, I agree with virtually all points. Let's face it - we all want long term relationships - it's easier in the long run. Therefore we need to be upfront in the 'courting' stage.
Employers vs. clients
I agree that a Client's Bill of Rights is a good idea. For the most part, I don't think these particular rights are a good start.
Don't give potential new clients too much information about your company. If you are any good, your portfolio will speak for itself. Most potential client calls come with a referral from an existing client or project anyway. When I get inquiries from potential clients without a referral, they are usually looking for the lowest price.
In these cases, there is no expectation of confidentiality with the information you give out about your design firm so choose your words carefully.
I don't want new clients bothering existing clients for references. All of my clients are busy professionals and don't have time to help me promote my business.
Financial information should always be kept confidential. ALWAYS. All client information should be kept confidential as well.
Clients pay extra for exclusivity. Exclusivity is an unreasonable request and a bad idea. Exclusivity is one of the defining differences between being an employee and having your own business. An exclusive client can stop outsourcing work at any time and if you have passed up opportunities to work with others in their industry, all the expertise you've gained will go to waste.
Choose your clients wisely and don't let them dictate how you run your business. Obviously honesty, integrity, competitive pricing and the ability to meet deadlines are important to giving good service, but some of those things vary based on the project and client ability.
Be honest, don't promise more than you can deliver and don't be fooled into thinking that employers and clients have the same rights.
Good idea gone a little too far
Sounds a lot like "I pay you I own you" mentality.
Small Fry
Quote: "I'd like to know if I am your biggest client or your smallest. My preference is to be somewhere in between; I don't want you depending largely on me for work and I don't want to be a small fry in your operation."
That's just irrational. Like it or not, SOMEBODY has to be the smallest client.
I can't help but shake my head
After having read the designer's bill of rights first I feel that there is a rather large amount of contradictions between it and the client's bill of rights. One should reflect the other, not combat it.
Unfortunately, this is exactly why doing business with corporations has been quite taxing for many freelance designers. The mentality is often of ownership of the designer once work begins.
This bill of rights is laughable. Any client that asked me for half of these things would no longer be a client of mine. I have to like whom I'm working with before I progress with any design (short of being poor and desperate!) and a client who listed such requests would not be someone I would feel comfortable with.
"I have the right to references"
That's what a portfolio is for.
"I'd like to know if I am your biggest client or your smallest"
This request is absurd. If word of mouth, a solid portfolio or a solid example of talent attracted the prospect client then why ask a question that has no bearing on the outcome? Again, simply absurd.
"I have a right to inquire about your financial stability"
Most businesses aren't even comfortable supplying a reliable budget but it is okay for them to rifle through a designer's numbers? So far this bill of rights reflects the types of clients that set off alarms to any designer worth his/her salt.
"I expect that you will not accept work from anyone that might be considered a competitor, unless I agree in advance"
Fair enough. Then I expect that the client will not hire any other designer, creative professional, relative, friend, mammal, vegetable or mineral that will assist in a contract, in-house or pro-bono capacity for any design without my prior agreement. Or we could simply agree to function on a level of reality and sanity.
"I don't want to speak to an account rep or sales rep if they can't help me with my problem or need"
This request exemplifies the type of pushy client that doesn't respect communication etiquette. If a firm or freelance designer has setup a system of communication that involves an account rep then that is the method of communication. Period. Just as many designers don't wish to deal with micromanagement chaos it is reasonable and acceptable for the client to parlay their needs through the proper channels to avoid dealing with too many mouths and not enough ears.
To be candid (as though I haven't been already!)I'd like to submit that there isn't a need for a client bill of rights as much as there is for the designer bill of rights.
Designers are constantly subjected to corporate nonsense. Remember, the general mentality is that we just make pretty pictures and they do all the real work. With this kind of mentality it is clear that clients are rarely the ones in need of defending.