Barbara Kay Coaching

  • Home
  • What & Why
  • Tools & Tips
  • Contact
NewsletterSIGN UP

“Just a Birthday Card” – Avoid a Painful Lesson

Receive valuable insights monthly to your inbox.

Barbara Kay
Tuesday, 13 March 2012 / Published in Uncategorized

“Just a Birthday Card” – Avoid a Painful Lesson

A coaching client thanked me recently for the newsletter STOP for MORE Success.  It got him focused on removing ineffective habits.  Then he shared a confirming story.  Here’s what he told me:

Story of the Day

“I was talking with a client who has funds with another advisor.  It’s important to me and beneficial to have a comprehensive knowledge of a client’s funds.  Multiple accounts scattered around prevent me from understanding the true picture and providing the best service.  So, I explained this to the client and suggested that he consolidate his accounts under one advisor, selecting the advisor who works best with him.  You’ve got to hear what he said next:  

“I’m just a birthday card to that guy.  I’d rather work with you.”

The birthday card was meaningless to the client because there was nothing else to the relationship.  Your newsletter and that conversation got me thinking.  If I’m going to send birthday cards, then they have to be meaningful and personal in some way.  Otherwise, clients will say the same thing about me.”

Tip of the Day

Make sure what you do for clients is personal, meaningful and is received that way.  Go ahead and break tradition.  If you’re doing something without meaning, consider dropping it.  It will likely not be missed and it will free you up to spend time on things that are truly meaningful for you and for clients.

Resource of the Day

Here’s the link to the article in case you missed it the first time:

STOP for MORE Success

What you can read next

Financial Heros
Women & Money: Pew Research Study
Business Results & Soft Skills

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact

Presentations

Books

Media

Articles

Assessments

  • GET SOCIAL

© 2018. All rights reserved. Barbara Kay Coaching

TOP