getting clients onboard

By Shawn Bakker

When using assessments you will encounter some clients who are hesitant about completing the instrument or wary of how their results will be used. This initial challenge can derail your work, leaving you unable to bring about the benefits you hope to achieve. However, by anticipating common concerns and addressing them directly at the beginning of your work you can head off this problem.

I have listed a number of key points that you should address when you start working with a client. You can do this in either a written statement or present it verbally. For effective communication you will probably want to do both.

During the introduction of your work explain:

1. The purpose of using the assessment and how it fits with your program/workshop.

2. Your qualifications and experience.

3. What type of information the client can expect to receive from the assessment.

4. How you and the client will use that information.

5. Who will get to see the results and where the results will be stored.

6. What kind of feedback the client will receive, when it will be provided, and who will provide it.

The information and transparency that your description of the points above provides will go a long way in reducing clients’ uneasiness. It shows that you have the client’s best interests at heart – which goes a long way in getting them onboard.