While those of you whose businesses involve direct sales and a passel of customers will probably not find an annual “check-up” meeting helpful, those businesses who rely on a few clients or for those of you who work as consultants or freelancers, you very well might find that setting aside a time to meet with each client or at least touch base annually turns out to be a good idea…
Many business owners find that meeting annually with clients in order to discuss any changes to the contract, make adjustments to service delivery, renegotiate work and payment, etc. is a great way to stay in touch with the needs of the client and make sure that the working relationship stays strong. It might seem like it would just be easier to send out a new contract and continue with the status quo, but you might be losing out on a valuable opportunity to strengthen the ties with each particular client and upgrade or update the services you are providing. It is also a good time to find out if your client’s needs have changed or if there are things going on with their business that could eventually affect your working relationship.
I find that annual meetings can also be great networking opportunities. You might be able to encourage a referral, provide information on new services you are offering or possible new directions you would like to take your business, and get inside information on the client or the client’s company. These meetings are also an opportunity to talk through any problems or issues that have developed in order to work them out and move on–NOT allowing them to fester and grow and eventually alter the working relationship.
Consider whether you would like to have more formal meetings with your clients or just do the periodic, casual check-in. Either way, making time to touch base with clients at least once a year can be an important element in maintaining those clients.