Listen to the Client!

YOU may be the professional, but your client is the BOSS. You may have all the answers--but the client is the one that makes the decisions and pays you for your services. If your client is dead set against a particular course of action you are advising, be patient. Explain why you think your advice should be followed, along with the possible outcomes of failing to follow your prescription. Connecting an action you recommend with direct consequences gets the client to think about how his obstinence might cost him. Sometimes, they may acquiesce and let you do your job. Other times though, a hard headed client is bound and determine to cost himself money and headache. When he does, explain the time, cost and effort that will be required to fix the problem. You aren´t there to say, "I told you so." You´re there to say, "Let me tell you how I can fix this problem." The next time, he´ll listen to you.