Sometimes you have to laugh. I love working with my clients and for the most part, things go along smoothly. But just every now and then a hiccup happens and it is usually because I didn’t know the background of something taking place in my client’s life at the time.
That’s when we have to take some time to discuss things. We’ll be in a pattern of getting regular activities taking place, we’ll be setting up the next thing, whether it be a newsletter, new seminar listed on the website or something else and then I’ll get this message that something is missing and should be there. huh? Did I miss something? I’ll go back through our email discussions (I receive most of my instructions via email which is better for me because it’s there in black and white and I can revisit anytime I want) and then find that what they’re asking about isn’t listed there.
I explain this to them and then they’ll give a bit more info and I’ll realise I wasn’t privvy to that special piece of information. My first thought is, if I could read their mind I would have known. Sorry.
I explain to them that I’m sorry, but I wasn’t aware of that, but now I am I’ll make sure it’s done and notate it for future reference. In some cases it’s simply a regular item they’d planned but I’d not picked up on it.
So, this message is to clients of VAs – please understand we can’t read your minds although we can do almost everything else. And we’re happy to accommodate your needs once we do have understanding.
Janet Janowiak says
Kathie – Very well said. I can understand how clients sometimes miss a few details. We form such close relationships with most of our clients that sometimes, maybe they do feel that we are “in their head”!
Connie Sheppard says
How very true. I’m just starting out in the field, but it has already come to my attention that there are those who think I know them so well, I can tell what they’re thinking!!
NOT!! (lol)
Kate LaFrance says
A very diplomatic way to put it! Thanks!
Gill Walker says
Your comments about mind reading are by no means restricted to VAs – it probably applies to anyone doing work for someone else. Remember the old adage about ASSUME ing making an ass of you and me.
Kathie Thomas says
I hadn’t said it was restricted to VAs only Gill, but since I write for the VA industry my focus is on them, and their client base.