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Vice Versa Client Management - Digital PM Summi...

Sam Barnes
October 15, 2013

Vice Versa Client Management - Digital PM Summit, Philadelphia 2013

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3duj7DL2_Tw
Site: http://www.thesambarnes.com

Having worked with and delivered projects for too many clients to count, last year Sam found himself in the surreal position of actually being a client himself, responsible for selecting a digital agency, designs, copy, functionality - everything.

He thought he’d be an awesome client, he thought the project would be easy - he thought wrong!

Instead he gained a unique insight into what it’s like being on the other side that will forever change how he perceives clients and delivers web projects.

Find out what he learnt as well as Sam’s ‘revised’ approach to managing clients, stakeholders and teams.

Sam Barnes

October 15, 2013
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Transcript

  1. Confessions 2 and 3 I thought I’d be the best

    client ever in the universe! I thought the project would be easy!
  2. Took brief from boss Created written brief Found agencies Contacted

    agencies Sent project brief Answered questions about brief Arranged times key people can meet Booked meeting rooms & confirmations
  3. So, to get five agencies in... A few hours of

    meetings and research. 10x emails per agency = 50 emails in 2-3 days. Not so bad right?
  4. Put costs first in your proposal? Here’s how much we

    want to charge you. ...and here’s why we’re worth it.
  5. “We could do that, but...” “I see where you’re coming

    from, but...” “I agree with you, but...” “That’s interesting feedback, but...”
  6. “When you step into the room with a client, you

    are a visitor from the future...”
  7. “You, web professional, spend your days immersed in the new

    paradigms of the multi-device web. Yet even for you, the constant change and adjustments that come with living on the internet can feel overwhelming. So how do you think your clients feel?” Matt Griffin, Client Relationships and the Multi-Device Web
  8. Confessions 6 and 7 I was a nightmare client when

    it came to design. I didn’t give a crap about iteration limits.
  9. “I know Sam found this hard as he is definitely

    a perfectionist and found it hard to be just on the outside of this process. This led to a certain degree of pixel pushing and numerous iterations.” The Digital PM who managed me.
  10. “The best kind of agency and client relationship is when

    the client’s company forget that you’re a third-party supplier.” An old boss of mine.
  11. Treat them like one of your team But never at

    the expense of your actual team.
  12. “A No uttered from the deepest conviction is better than

    a Yes merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.” Mahatma Gandhi
  13. “Sam, you have about as much tact as being hit

    in the face with a brick.” Another old boss of mine.
  14. What was done this week What will be done next

    week Blockers / issues Revised project timeline Revised project budget
  15. JUST DO THE RIGHT THING No matter what, just keep

    doing the right thing, and it will all be ok in the end.
  16. “He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no

    mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.” Sun Tzu PMP, The Art of War
  17. You remain the professional one You can never be accused

    of anything Always on solid moral ground Gain respect for not reacting Exposes the problem in the right way It REALLY pisses Megabeasts off :)
  18. “In the nicest possible way...” YOU WERE A PAIN IN

    THE ASS! The Digital PM who managed me.
  19. Credits • Worst Client Comments posters by http://sharpsuits.net • Meeting

    designed by Joe Sparano from The Noun Project • Scared designed by Nicolas Hue from The Noun Project • Test Tube designed by Benton Rochester from The Noun Project • Triangle designed by Pierre TORET from The Noun Project • Angry designed by Austin Condiff from The Noun Project • Neutral designed by Austin Condiff from The Noun Project • Disgusted designed by Austin Condiff from The Noun Project • Stormtrooper designed by Simon Child from The Noun Project • Death Star designed by Andrew Forrester from The Noun Project • Death Star designed by iconoci from The Noun Project • Darth Vader designed by iconoci from The Noun Project • Group designed by Javier Cabezas from The Noun Project • Meeting designed by Julieta Felix from The Noun Project • Teacher designed by Juan Pablo Bravo from The Noun Project • Target designed by Simon Child from The Noun Project • Audio Recorder designed by André Rafael from The Noun Project • Rating designed by Dirk Schmücker from The Noun Project • Devil designed by SuperAtic LABS from The Noun Project • People designed by Tiago Monteiro from The Noun Project • Happy designed by Tobias F. Wolf from The Noun Project • http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasukaru76/5023702628 • http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattingham/4379387793 • http://www.flickr.com/photos/baggis/4970712962 • http://www.flickr.com/photos/cole007/3295053576 • Matt Griffin, Client Relationships and the Multi-Device Web