The Debate

I was speaking with a friend of mine about what we do and kept referring to our ‘Clients’ as ‘Customers’.  She politely corrected me, and advised that I reread my Webster’s Dictionary.   So, after pulling out the 1,664 page Collegiate Edition from my bookshelf, I decided to just look it up online.

Here’s what it says for each:

CUSTOMER
Main Entry:  cus·tom·er
Pronunciation:  \ˈkəs-tə-mər\
Function:  noun
1: one that purchases a commodity or service
2: an individual usually having some specified distinctive trait

CLIENT
Main Entry:  cli·ent
Pronunciation:  \ˈklī-ənt\
Function:  noun
1: one that is under the protection of another : dependent
2a: a person who engages the professional advice or services of another
2b: customer
2c: a person served by or utilizing the services of a social agency
2d: a computer in a network that uses the services (as access to files or shared peripherals) provided by a server

The Definition of ‘Client’ Uses the Word ‘Customer’.

“Look at Client definition 2b. It says ‘customer’, so what’s the difference,” I stated matter-of-factly.

She went on to explain to me that, the term ‘customer’ merely refers to someone who buys something from you, whereas, the term ‘client’ implies a larger relationship.  In her experience, this minor change had gone a long way in reinforcing that ‘larger’ relationship.  It truly made each client feel that she cared more about them than just taking their money.  It instilled a kind of mutual respect for a professional relationship has  that goes beyond just services or products.

A Compelling Argument

I told her that I would try it.  The next day I began to use ‘client’ instead of ‘customer’ in all of my conversations. Not only did the person to whom I was speaking respond differently (of course in a positive way), but I noticed that I felt better talking with them.

Amazing how one word can change the tone of a conversation… and, potentially, the relationship as a whole.

Try it out to see if you get the same change that I’ve seen.

A Network Support Company that Treats you Like a Client

If you need a network support company to treat you like a client, please contact us:

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Email: sales@DedicatedIT.com

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