Relationships with clients vary one to another.  With some clients, you feel as though they are family.  You are invited to weddings, charity functions.  Yep, Bill is family.

Then there is The Mentor.  Client Joe has encouraged you from the git go and loves hearing about the new jobs or awards you get.  He feels he is personally responsible for some of your success.

Steve, on the other hand, trades leads with you all the time.  He is your Networking Bouddy. 

Others act as Teacher, Boss, Whiny Child, etc. 

The point here is that it is important that you figure out  which relationship you have with each of  your clients and  perform accordingly.  Give the Mentors and Teachers acknowledgement for a part of your success,   Let the Family Guy know about your kids accomplishments, show pictures.  Give the Networking Guy lots of leads and newspaper clippings.

Understanding the dynamics of some of your client-contractor realationships can go a long way toward making your business life easier. 

One word of caution.  If you ever have to switch contact from your company to a new sales exec or whatever, ramp up slowly.  Stay involved.  Give lots of props to the new contact and so on.  Changing the dynamics can be tricky so be aware.

And, as a revue, please re read Interiorscaping War of Words.  This is a blog I wrote back in 2006 and is still something you and your techs need to discuss from time to time.  One word can mean the loss of a client.  Horrors!

And, sell a few TOPsiders for me!