Bad Client Behavior Is on the Rise

I have. So have many of my friends and colleagues in a variety of industries. Tough economic times tend to bring out the dark side in perfectly civilized professionals. In the agency business, I've heard many troubling stories: If only clients knew that this bad behavior hurts, more than helps, their cause. Agencies that are treated with respect give more than they take. Agencies that enjoy open, honest lines of communication and professional partnerships with their clients produce better work. Deep down, I believe most clients understand that. But when the heat is on from above, best practices go out to the window, and it's every man for himself. That leads to short-term thinking, low morale on the agency side, frustration on the client side and poor results overall. Make no mistake: I believe that every agency has to go above and beyond for their clients in this economic downturn. It's not only the smart thing to do; it's the right thing. But clients also need to understand the care and feeding of an agency. You get what you give.

Bad Client Behavior Is on the Rise

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