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What should I look out for when choosing a client?

On Behalf of | Sep 6, 2018 | Business Litigation

No matter the industry, California business owners rely on their clients to grow and succeed. While most of the people you work with will be eager to hear your input on their project, other clients will be more difficult to assist. Not only can this create frustration, it may also lead to legal issues if your client disputes your work. If you’re concerned about the impact of working with a so-called “problem” client, Forbes offers the following advice to identify issues before they occur.

Complaints about past working relationships

Not every working relationship is going to be a success. However, if a potential client has nothing but bad things to say about previous associations it could indicate an inability to be pleased regardless of the quality of work. In this case, try to dive deeper into the reasons why. If you find claims about personality clashes or other vague issues, you want to carefully consider entering into an official agreement with this person.

Claims of expert-level knowledge

Clients with at least some working knowledge of your field can actually be beneficial when working on a project together. Clients claiming to have expert-level knowledge in your field should be approached with caution, since this may indicate a difficult working relationship. In order for a project to progress smoothly your client must trust in your skill and this trust will be undermined by their supposed knowledge.

Lack of knowledge regarding technology

Good clients also have a relatively strong grasp of modern technology. When knowledge is lacking it’s often challenging to work efficiently with a client, especially when communicating via email or other digital methods. Lack of technological knowledge can also turn into a legal issue. If your consultation runs longer than anticipated you may want to charge more for services, which will be met with consternation by your client.