Suppose an existing client who contacts you one day requesting a change in your policy that will accommodate this client in some way. However, their desire will not accommodate any other client and may cause other problems. Do you accommodate the first client?

Suppose a potential client calls and describes her needs and wants. Upon learning about your policies and procedures, the newbie requests a change in some way that will substantially affect your other working relationships. To sign the client do you agree?

A client calls with a short term project that requires a minor and insignificant adjustment to some policy or procedure. Do you do the work?

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A L Camien
Manager Member

I am very new to this and probably have no room to comment however, I say you should not change policies or procedures to suit one client. I don't think you should jeopardize your existing clients for the benefit of one that may or may not work out. I think if they are asking you to change your policies to suit them then they really are not someone you want to be working for as they don't care about you or your business only themselves. However I have not even opened the doors for my Company yet and would love to hear what some of the seasoned and experienced VA's think.
Thank you for letting me add my 2 cents even if they don't make sense or might be under some misguided delusion.

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Valerie Snyder KBK Office Services
www.KBKOfficeServices.com

I am very clear about my policies and procedures which are in writing and are for all clients to follow. Without these policies I could not run my business effectively.

With that said, I will make some adjustments depending upon the circumstances and whether or not the policy change affects my other clients.

For example, my office hours are set and I don't deviate from them, however, one client asked me to do some additional work on the weekend, which I agreed to do. However, I charged an additional fee for that privilege.

If the policy change will affect your other clients, then only you can decide how you want to operate your business. If I was in your situation, I would reiterate your policy, try to work something else out and explain that you are a business owner who must be fair to all of your clients...afterall, they pay you for your time as well and should be given equal consideration.

Janine

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My policies are not changed client to client. I set my policies based on my business model and if a client does not agree then they are not ideal. With that said I do make exceptions for emergency and out of office hours projects but I do charge a fee for that and will only take them on if it does not disrupt my whole day.

Keep in mind if you start to make changes based on individual clients you should through your policy manual out the door as you will have exceptions rather than rules. Wondering how the client that requests the change would like you to change her policies to suit your needs?

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I operate with different policies for different clients right now and HATE IT. I need to be more formal. I think this is all great advice.

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Dani
http://www.danimagestro.com

I'm like Lee & Janine,

I have my policies and procedures clearly spelled out and rarely deviate from them. My ongoing clients get a bit more leeway when warranted but new clients don't have that luxury.
With a new client you have no idea how they work and could be getting yourself pulled into a horrible situation (depending on what they are asking).
With established clients, you have a working relationship and have already established that mutual respect of each others time.

~C

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~Christina|BD Mag|VOSTeam