Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

The Role of a Service Provider

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im-a-people-person-i-have-people-skillsAs a service provider it’s my responsibility to provide my service (sales & marketing consulting) to my clients (the expert in their business & their industry). My position means that I am often working with OTHER service providers. Sometimes that’s fantastic, and sometimes I can’t figure out why my client would ever hire that person. And after a couple of recent weird service provider to service provider interactions, I was thinking, we may need a reminder of our role.

Here’s the deal: the client hired us because they know they need what we do. They hired us to help with messaging, create a new ad, help with organizational structure, write-up policies and procedures, build a website, and a myriad of other services they need. They did NOT hire us to fix things that aren’t broken in their mind. Well, they did, they just don’t know it yet.

Is that a website that I’d be proud to have represent my company? Is that the logo and color scheme I’d use? Is that messaging really representative of what they’re doing? Maybe not, but they love it. It’s our job as service providers to come along side our clients and have those conversations “what do you think about your messaging?” “How do you feel about your website design/content/layout,” “How do you feel about your branding?” They aren’t FUN conversations to have with your client, but if this is what they hired you for, then they’re ready for it.

Sometimes that’s NOT what they hired you for though. Sometimes you need to gently ask the questions and when they say no, you need to drop it. At least for the time being. I have this happen a lot with clients. It’s not in the budget, the designer is a friend, they paid a lot of money for whatever, it’s gonna stay put for the time being.

So, here’s a few things that based on my recent experiences I think we should be reminded of when working with our clients. Also, remember this when you’re working with other service providers on a client. You never know who has they client’s ear, and getting fired because you were a jerk to another service provider can happen…

The Role of a Service Provider:

  • Provide solutions and services within your scope of work and breadth of knowledge
  • Work WITH your client to develop and implement their vision (you’re their to guide, get your own thing)
  • Offer recommendations and options based on your clients needs
  • Complete requested tasks by the client
  • Make suggestions on opportunities or changes needed within the organization
  • Provide SERVICE (ie: don’t be a dick)

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old…

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Seattle Cider Basil MintIn a new town you have to make new friends, find your go to places and get into a new routine. I’m doing okay with all of this (I promise.) One of my new favorite places is the local taphouse. It’s dog friendly, so Hank loves it, they have AMAZING beer on tap which helps since I’m really missing my Beer Geek Girl crew and discovering new bars and beers. And because I’m active on Twitter and so are they, I’ve gotten to know the owner (it’s how I found them in the first place!)

Last week I was in and we were talking about cider, which I love. I asked if they ever get Seattle Cider, a cider company in Seattle (obviously) that I really love and miss and can’t find as readily down here. He said no, he hadn’t heard of them. The next morning on Twitter the owner tweeted that he had a present for me when I’m in next.

So now I’m sitting in the taphouse writing this post and in my bag is a fabulous cider from Seattle Cider I’ve been DYING to try and now get to because I made new friends, talked to strangers, AND told them what I want.

I always tell you guys I can’t help you if I don’t know what you need, and if I don’t know you’re out there. Sure it’s a bottle of cider, but hey, what cool stuff have you gotten lately because you made a new friend?

Discount Codes or Secret Codes?

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imgresI’m looking for a new CSA here in Portland. And I think I’ve found it, BUT…

I was going through the checkout process the other day to finally get it setup and start having produce delivered to my house like I did in Seattle with Full Circle Farms. I loved Full Circle, AND when friends wanted to join I got a referral bonus (and so did they), and they were very easy to work with. So, I’m about to enter my credit card for this new CSA when it asks for a DISCOUNT CODE. Score, I want a discount code. But I don’t have one. I’m a new member and 99% sure that one exists for new members. And when I had asked people about CSA’s, I even said, if you have a referral link I’d be happy to use it so you get the bonus. Nada.

So, time to GTS (Google that Sh*t). Again, nada. So I tweet them. Nada. And now my rant about having a twitter account but not tweeting. So now I guess I’ll shoot them an email and ask.

Here’s the deal. If you promote that you have a discount code, by golly I’m going to get the discount. Mama didn’t raise no fool! Deal’s are GREAT, I LOVE a deal.

If your website has a very obvious discount code box at checkout, you better be prepared for it. A lot of retail sites have a bar across the site that says “free shipping on orders over $x with code MAMADIDNTRAISENOFOOL.” So be prepared. If it’s obvious HOW to obtain a code, then I won’t go hunting “oh I have to order 5 to get one free” fine. But I know as soon as I place my order I’ll get an email or tweet that says “New Customers Only!”