I am an in-house intellectual property lawyer for a large company who has found a lot of the MT tools helpful in dealing with my internal customers (mostly high level research managers). I used a lot of the tools from the "Jump Starting Internal Customer Relations" cast and got great results.
At the Amsterdam conference I asked Mark about how to take this to the next level and maintain a good relationship with the internal clients I support. Mark suggested using biweekly one-on-ones to let them know the status of my work.
I thought this was a great idea. However I have no idea how to initiate it. Shall I simply have a conversation with each one explaining the idea? Or maybe send a scheduled meeting notice in Outlook? I am a bit worried that the customers will feel this will take up too much time.
Thoughts? Ideas?
How to initiate O3 with internal customers
In person or on the phone (if you aren't in the same location). NOT through an Outlook invite.
Explain that you want to serve them better, and that a short weekly meeting will ensure that their needs are being met.
John
How to initiate O3 with internal customers
Try a casual, personal approach like "do you have any time in the next few weeks where we could catch up. I'd love to understand more about your area so that I can help more". Everyone has time in a few weeks from now and most people love to explain their area when free help is on offer. Then setup the appointment by outlook.
cheers
Steve
How to initiate O3 with internal customers
I'm just getting ready to start monthly 101 with my internal clients, and for each one, I've tried to casually approach them.
They are all extremely busy, so I usually pop a smile, get the point, and either make a time with them right then and there, or tell them that I'll send them a mail with my possible meeting times.
So far so good - people appreciate you showing up and politely getting to the point.
One thing I do is bring a pad and pen with me when I go to meet them in case we start throwing dates around or in case they ask what sort of things I want to talk about.
That way I can show them I'm serious about these meetings, not just kind of wandering around the office, and also I can give them a list of things to think about before our meeting.