In any professional engagement, whether as a service provider or a client, being cognizant of potential pitfalls and detrimental practices is crucial. It's essential to identify and steer clear of these tendencies to maintain the integrity of the relationship and the quality of the service being provided. For service providers, overlooking customer feedback or failing to adapt to changing needs can lead to a disconnect between offerings and customer expectations. It’s imperative to actively seek feedback, adapt to evolving market demands, and prioritize consistent quality to maintain trust. On the other side, clients should be wary of inadequate communication or unrealistic expectations. Clear communication and setting achievable expectations are pivotal to a successful partnership. Ignoring warning signs such as inconsistent service, data mishandling, or neglecting corporate social responsibility can be detrimental to the long-term relationship. Both parties should prioritize transparency, integrity, and responsiveness. Emphasizing personalization, quality assurance, and a focus on long-term relationships over short-term gains fosters a healthy, mutually beneficial partnership. Additionally, investing in employee training and data security reinforces the commitment to providing exceptional service while respecting customer privacy. Ultimately, awareness of these potential oversights empowers both service providers and clients to make informed decisions, fostering a conducive environment for productive, trustworthy, and sustainable professional relationships.
Bad Habits Exhibited by Some Service Providers, Experts or Clients
- Overpromising Beyond what One is Capable or Knowledgeable About
Many people do not respect what they do and go ahead and develop a habit of committing to things they are not even capable of delivering. One person may be looking at the money factor and cannot imagine losing on a potential deal but unfortunately without considering the customer's plight. Others want to believe they can broker services and will without much thought commit to service delivery believing that they will subcontract the relevant experts only to hit a dead end and to the frustration of the client.
It is very important therefore for service providers, fundis, or experts to be sensitive while committing to any opportunity by only sticking to their lines of expertise even if it means losing a deal or two. It is far better because even that deal that goes sour after overpromising ends up wasting more chances and time.
- Dishonesty, not Accepting Faults when or where One is Wrong or Unsure
This is an area that indeed is of much concern because it is an issue that derails work and worse causes chaos and crisis in the workplace. Many times while a service is being delivered, you will, especially as a client suffer this at some point in the service delivery process. Many experts however skilled could be dishonest where they want to take shortcuts or are wrong since even the best can error. The main concern with this is that it complicates the service delivery process and does not benefit either the expert or contractor or fundi or the customer but all are doomed to frustrations. When a person accepts their fault, it not only allows the client to give a chance to resolve but also becomes a room for learning by the expert.
Worse, some lie about issues they are unsure and instead of being honest try other shortcuts that just make things more difficult rather than resolving. Where a fundi or a service provider is honest, the client can seek further help or input and this benefits both since the expert will learn in the process too and better not suffer the consequences of dishonesty.
- Poor Work-related Communication & Pathetic Time Management Skills
It is almost believed that most service providers fail to keep time as a culture and trend and this is not only unhealthy but retrogressive. When an expert promises to deliver a service and within a given period of time, it is important that they keep their word, and if there is some adjustment they communicate and in good time. Many unfortunately do not even report to the workstation at the right time, others fail to show up and fail even to communicate and this is just unfortunate. Because no one is forced to agree towards delivering a service they committed to, it is simply necessary for the involved parties to have proper communication and time management skills. Without this, disagreements start to arise; negative criticism is bound to be from the client since their attitude has already been tainted.
- Unprofessional Work Conclusion & Project Exit Approach
This is another very disturbing concern that needs to be addressed and discouraged among many service providers. When an expert is about to finish a project, it is a common practice for them at the time to be looking for other projects elsewhere so as to start after finishing the current one. While this is very okay, there is a serious concern when the expert or service provider does not do a healthy transition by either leaving the current project prematurely or worse rushing to finish and so compromising in order to start the next.
The best way is to communicate with the current project owner about the exit plan and timeline and when that is agreed, now the expert can advise the new project owner of the best time to be available. Some fundis and experts actually just wake up one day and vanish without warning the project owner or communication and this is very unfortunate.
Bad Habits Exhibited by Some Customers
- Little or no knowledge of the Anticipated/Expected Offered Solutions
Just because you will pay an expert to serve you for some need, it does not mean that you engage them blindly without even having an idea of what you want or expect. If you do this, you simply should not be surprised by being offered substandard or overpriced services. It is very crucial to have an idea of what is expected and roughly how much it costs as well so that even the service provider is aware that you know what you want. This helps to avoid being taken advantage of as the client and allows proper vetting of the expert since you ask the right questions.
Also, the service provider is also at an advantage to work with a client who knows what they expect since he/she can plan with more certainty & avoid redo jobs or unwarranted service rejection.
2. Lack of Work or Project Monitoring & Supervision Directly or Delegated
Assuming that a client knows what they truly want and even have hired qualified experts; that does not guarantee the best results. It is unfortunate that many people will not be ideal in terms of what you truly expect and therefore it is your duty as the client to monitor progress and supervise in whichever way possible how you are being served. This will help identify any concerns could there be any at an early stage of the process and ensure all is done correctly and well. This means that if there are concerns even serious ones, for instance, if the service provider proves incapable to meet expectations, it will be easier to resolve this before it’s too late.
On the other hand, as a service provider, you are at peace with whomever you are offering the service to because step by step you are certain that so far so good. Nothing hurts service providers like doing some work and later on the client comes and says it’s not as per expectation and has to be redone; at times it’s the client’s fault since they never supervised the work. Even if you are busy elsewhere as the client, get another person to supervise and update you on the progress.
3. Payment Delay or Decline to Pay for Offered Services & Solutions
This happens a lot where a client will find any excuse to use a reason to delay or to decline to pay for the provided service. The truth of the matter is, you cannot avoid paying for delivered services since it's wrong and unexpected. So to avoid any issues, it is the responsibility especially for the client to have a clear understanding of the payment process with the expert or service provider as to when and how much.
If there is some agreement, then at the expected pay date, as a client you should pay the service provider regardless of any issues you may have as long as the service has been delivered as agreed. If there are issues with the delivered service, then talking through with an aim to part pay or pay and part would help. Unfortunately, some clients will simply decline to pay out of malice and that is truly regretful.
How to Banish Bad Habits from Your Company
Addressing detrimental habits within a company is pivotal for sustained growth and success. Identifying and banishing these habits involves a strategic approach that not only transforms the work environment but also fosters a culture conducive to productivity and innovation. It's about recognizing the significance of habits in shaping the company's identity and steering it towards a path of positive change and continuous improvement. Generally, banishing bad habits from a company involves a deliberate and structured approach to instigate positive change and foster a healthier work environment:
- Identify the Habits: Start by identifying detrimental habits affecting the company. This could include poor communication, procrastination, lack of accountability, or resistance to change.
- Set Clear Expectations: Communicate expectations clearly across all levels of the organization. Define what constitutes positive behaviors and habits that align with company values and goals.
- Leadership Role: Leadership plays a crucial role in setting examples and driving change. Leaders should actively model the desired behaviors and champion the shift towards better habits.
- Establish Accountability: Implement systems that hold individuals accountable for their actions. This could involve regular performance reviews, feedback mechanisms, or establishing clear metrics for success.
- Provide Training and Support: Offer training programs or workshops focusing on personal and professional development. Equip employees with the skills and tools needed to overcome bad habits.
- Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing challenges and proposing solutions. Encourage feedback loops to address issues promptly.
- Recognize and Reward Positive Change: Acknowledge and celebrate individuals or teams that exhibit positive habits and behaviors. Positive reinforcement encourages the continuation of good practices.
- Implement Gradual Changes: Avoid overwhelming the organization with sudden, drastic changes. Instead, introduce changes gradually, allowing time for adjustment and adoption.
- Review and Adapt: Continuously assess the progress. Regularly review the company culture, habits, and practices, and be willing to adapt strategies based on feedback and outcomes.
- Persistence and Patience: Changing habits takes time and persistence. Encourage perseverance and patience among employees, emphasizing the long-term benefits of adopting new, healthier practices.
Banishing bad habits from a company isn’t just about eliminating negative behaviors; it’s about instigating a cultural shift. By setting clear expectations, providing support, and fostering open communication, organizations can pave the way for a more positive and productive work environment. It's a journey that requires commitment, perseverance, and consistent effort from leadership and employees alike. Ultimately, by replacing detrimental habits with positive practices, companies can create a thriving ecosystem that propels them towards sustained success and growth.
