CLIENT/CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT OR EXPERIENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Publish date:

• 16th July, 2020

"Good customer service costs less than bad customer service."
– Sally Gronow

The above statement is so true when it comes to project management.  The clients are the raison d’être (the reason for existence) of any firm or a business. As we repeat ad nauseum, “the customer is king”. This clichéd Adage holds water in the maze of the project management domain as well. In the domain of project management, the project manager is the key person who is the link between the client and the customer during the project (right from conceptualization to execution). In this post, we shall look at the strong bond of Client/Customer Engagement or Experience in Project management, courtesy the project manager.

• The constant interaction with the client gives the client a greater understanding of the project management processes, pain points and challenges.

• The project manager acts as a conduit for client feedback at every step of the process, keeping them in the loop and thus avoiding failure once the project is over and, god forbid, the client does not like the end result. Feedback is a great way to improve the overall customer experience. The feedback can be channeled back into making improvements in the project and creating a product that is acceptable to the client.

• The project manager is the link between the project team and the customer and it is he/she who can increase customer engagement.  The PM can smooth the creases, sort out issues, find solutions, and act as a really good bridge. For example, if there are any disputes between the client and the accounts department over-invoicing issues,. The PM can step in and sort it out before it escalates and marshals the client's experience with the firm.

• The project manager provides regular and timely updates in various forms to the clients about the project's progress, which is great for the client experience. It keeps them abreast of all developments, makes them feel heard, and ensures that they are valued at every stage of the partnership.

Project manager Shamik Sengupta feels that besides being good in technical and organizational skills, communication and soft skills are equally important in project management, especially when dealing with customers from varied backgrounds and expectations. The project manager has to put the best foot forward at all times to ensure great customer engagement, whether on the phone, person, email, or text. He says “As a project manager, I am also playing the role of a customer service person, a firefighter, a counselor—so many roles in one to keep customers happy at all times”.

As we can see from the above, the project manager is the face of the company and the project when it comes to client interaction and customer engagement. They are the one-stop person for all purposes for clients to discuss all issues, challenges, and points. Keeping the customer happy throughout the project stages is important, as they will act as public relations agents for you in the future and be your referrals in the cut-throat market. Keep the Client/Customer Engagement or Experience in Project Management a happy one, and wing your way to success.

At Codleo Consulting, we’re more than just a Salesforce partner—we’re your ally in creating meaningful client and customer experiences. As a Salesforce consulting firm with a team of dedicated Salesforce consultants, we work closely with you to ensure that every project not only meets its goals but also leaves a lasting impact. Let’s work together to enhance your engagement strategies and make your business thrive.

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About the Author

RS Maan

Maan joined Salesforce Ecosystem in 2008 with entry of Salesforce in APAC region. He worked on many of the underlying Salesforce Products & it’s functionality, including Heroku, Chatbots, and Einstein before leading Codleo Consulting - Leading Partner of Salesforce.com & Salesforce.org. In his spare time, he immerses himself in travel, books and spirituality.