It's official! One of my long-term anchor clients and I are back together💋
First, let's clarify: What’s an anchor client? ⚓
To use the definition by the authoritative Corinne McKay:
"An anchor client is one that represents at least 10% of your income or five figures of income, e.g. a client from whom you earn $10,000 or more in a year"
So here’s the story...
After over 12 years of having built up a trusting and loyal relationship with this valuable client, earlier this year an out-of-the-ordinary payment issue came up. Now, these have happened before, albeit rarely; just that this time my client's representative in charge of solving this issue did not handle it any way near at the level of respect and professionalism their predecessors would have. A mix of poor communication and a lack of awareness lead to some drastic actions being made on both sides. It wasn’t pretty.
Like all years-nurtured relationships, I admit it was tough no longer having such a client, and not just on a professional but also on a personal level.
However, all was not lost.I decided I'd give it some time before reapproaching this once important client – it's best to let bygones be bygones first and not allow for immediate bitterness to cloud reasonable judgement.
So taking the tips that Laurie Ross so brilliantly presented in her webinar about reminders at the recent Direct Clients Summit for translators and interpreters, I decided early last week was the right time to send a warm note to the client's vendor management team to let them know I'm available for work.
🎯 The result:
A very warm and sincere response back and...within an hour, my first job from them in months!
Tentative steps, I know, but very reaffirming, nonetheless.
Since then, I’ve had four assignments with them and re-established existing positive relations with project managers and other employees I’ve known for years. We’re almost back to where we once were.
💡 They do say that when you leave someone, whether it be a romantic partner, friendship or a client relationship, that it was for a good reason. However, in terms of clients and companies, we need to keep in mind that it just could have been because of that one bad apple. “One” is to be emphasised here as the actions and/or behaviour of that bad apple may not necessarily represent that of those predominating at that client or entity.
Especially if there was a long-lasting, trusting relationship and goodwill there beforehand, give a client another chance. In any case, the only true way you know where you stand is if you enquire.
More information about the plusses and minuses of anchor clients can be found in the link to Corinne McKay’s informative blogpost here.
Photo credit: Lucas Sankey on Unsplash
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