Recently I had a conversation with a consultant and expert on software development about proposing solutions to our clients.

We discussed the need to understand the client’s goals, and situation to determine if our solutions are viable.  We talked about the importance of giving the client options.  About making sure they understand the options, the costs, and the value of each option.

My experience has been that most consultants, coaches and experts do this quite well.  However, I believe the real consultant does more than offer and explain options.

The real consultant commits.  Understanding and offering options is not enough.  The real consultant has a very strong sense of conviction about which option is the best for their client and throws the full weight of their recommendation behind that option.

When I offer sales or business coaching advice I’m careful to provide options.  Explaining the options allows me to provide context and insight as to why I’m making the recommendation I’m making.   It’s a way for me to both teach and give advice.  My clients hire me, in large part, for this type of committed recommendation.

To better serve your clients give more than options, have the conviction to provide a committed recommendation.   Committing to your convictions, in sales, business and in life, is a good thing.

I recently joined the fitness center at a local state university.  When I got my student parking permit I noticed something that made me wonder.

After parking I had to walk through the large, mostly empty, “facility & staff” parking lot to get to where I was going.  I checked some of the other lots on campus and in each case student parking is the furthest away from anyplace you would want to get to.

It seems to me that if the university exists to serve the student, if the student is the university’s customer, than shouldn’t student parking be right next to the handicapped and visitor parking by the front door?  I wonder how this subtle point plays on the subconscious of students, staff and instructors?

More importantly for this blog I’m encouraging you to think about what “student parking” may be going unnoticed in your business or organization?  How might you be unconsciously keeping your customers away from your front door?  Put yourself in your customer’s shoes, park in their spot and be aware of how that feels.  It could be important.