question for consultants, etc.

[kasia]

do you ever yell at clients?

sometimes i want to kick mine. only the ones who feel a need to call every day.

i said to one just today, "i have about 20 open cases, all of which are priority cases involving domestic violence or child abduction. i understand yours is a priority. do you think i'll get more done sitting her on the phone with you or actually working on the cases?"

she seemed very unhappy with my attitude.

but $#*@, i met with her thursday, emailed her AFTER work on friday (was in court all day friday), was in court all day yesterday, and just got back from court today when she called.

i hate whiners!

[Craig]

No, I've never yelled at clients. I've talked behind their backs, but never yelled. Just need to do it their way since they are paying the bills. Of course I have been known to make suggestions, but it is up to them to accept it or not. I don't expect clients to be rational, but if they are it's definitely a plus. If they want to take up your time, feel free to charge them for it.

[kasia]

two words: public interest. (i.e., free legal services)

[BaiginLong]

two words: public interest. (i.e., free legal services)well in that case since they're getting free legal representaion and advice
they'll just have to make do without the pretty mechanical smile and the endless patience

[kasia]

well in that case since they're getting free legal representaion and advice
they'll just have to make do without the pretty mechanical smile and the endless patience

ummm...which they don't get in private practice anyway, kid.

i'm actually very nice to my clients who appreciate my services.

[>:^|]

I dunno ... I think that if you work in public interest type jobs, you need to do it for yourself, and not expect gratitude.

Also, people who have been in the system for a long time don't know you're going to call them back or come through for them. They've undoubtedly been exposed to a number of providers who are just going through the motions.

Having been there, done that, I found that I always had to really try to remember my clients' humanity, and to always treat them with dignity and respect, otherwise I just became one of those people whom I despise.

This is not to say it isn't frustrating as all get-out.

[achtungbaby]

do you ever yell at clients?

sometimes i want to kick mine. only the ones who feel a need to call every day.

i said to one just today, "i have about 20 open cases, all of which are priority cases involving domestic violence or child abduction. i understand yours is a priority. do you think i'll get more done sitting her on the phone with you or actually working on the cases?"

she seemed very unhappy with my attitude.

but $#*@, i met with her thursday, emailed her AFTER work on friday (was in court all day friday), was in court all day yesterday, and just got back from court today when she called.

i hate whiners!

I would imagine that private sector professionals have to take more shit from their for-profit clients.

I've never had to yell at a client before...perhaps I've just been too brainwashed to be accomodating to the point of bending over. I have yelled at co-workers and peers though.

[ism]

No, but I've lecture-of-deathed them before, which I hear is worse than yelling. One of the more useful things I've learned from my father.

[yoMAMA]

i used to be a computer lab consultant.......but i worked at a lab where all the MBA students use the computers.....

so nice, no one asked me a single question the whole semester..... :biggrin: