At @obidoMedia, we have only “clients”. I refuse to use the word “customer” to describe the people I work with. Customers are transactional and for all intents and purposes are one and done. McDonald’s has customers, which means nothing long-term to me. Customers are people you help meet a specific need. They have a problem or a desire – you solve the problem or fulfil the desire. Customers have choices and it’s generally about a price versus quality decision. Customers’ purchasing decisions are not based on their trust of and relationship with you. Customers may keep coming back and a cordial relationship is established, but there’s not much of a vested interest to establish a business partnership. At the end of the day, a customer makes a choice.

A “client” on the other hand, is a person whose business you have a vested interest in. You are their partner and provide services within their business. Not every service you provide comes with a bill – can I write that again? You gain clients by establishing relationships/partnerships, not sales orders. Clients are people that can count on you at all times. They don’t question your advice or integrity and you don’t worry about their loyalty. You are a respected part of their business. You are constantly trying to bring new ideas to your client and to exceed their expectations. Your primary goal is to make their business successful because you know your success depends upon it. Like customers, clients too have choices, but so do I. I’m neither obligated to, nor dependent upon, your business. I too get to choose what people/businesses I want to work with. I’m always trying to increase the quality of my client base, not just the quantity. And in a client relationship, we both make a choice.

“Clients are people that can count on you at all times.” – Obi “O” Panch

So which would you rather have, and who would you rather be? McDonald’s has customers; I have clients and enjoy working with them day-in-and-day-out because we help each other be outstanding. That’s why we call our final selection of clients La Familia meaning “family”. That’s just what family do.

– O