Who was your first client?

[gettoasty]

How did you guys react in your first client meeting?

I am working in PWM at the moment and every now and then my co-worker/employer will have me go in afterwards to wrap up with the paperwork. I would prefer actual training but instead I get introduced and then they leave the room to me. I see this everyday but it is different when you're in the drivers seat.

We deal with high net worth clientele as well as retirees and for some reason I get really intimated. Plus, I feel pressured as this is very important since any missing signatures on applications/information will be on me.
By the end of the meeting the client IMO does not want to be inundated with more questions, and it would be a very inconvenience to have them comeback and resign. They're busy after all making money or enjoying retirement.

I am also very young in comparison and too polite to strike up anything 'hearty' so find it hard to relate.

I guess my question is: If you do not have any relations with the client beforehand how to build rapport?
Ask them about weather? Comment on their dress? Ask them about traffic (I did this today).

FWIW I spend majority of my time in the back office. This is not a matter of whether I can perform the said task but rather how I can do it better.

 

[Joffrey]

You sound like you're 16. Anyway, even if you're 24, as long as you aren't 40 and/or as wealthy as the client you have nothing in common and shouldn't bother trying. Like you said they have better things to do, so be polite with whatever mundane administrative stuff you have to do when the real business if concluded. They'll appreciate your politeness and your eagerness to not waste their time.

 

[jrd617]

ur mom

 

[gettoasty]

Does this need to be moved to "DT?"

lol.

Thought this was a genuine question but perhaps I was spazzing out.

 

[ter1413]

Just go in and say..."Mr/Mrs X, I have a few things for you to sign."
When he/she is signing, just say..."do you have any followup/additional/etc questions for me/us?"
If you have a biz card, give it to them and then say....."If you can't get in touch with X and have ny questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call and I can assist."

Done.

If they start chatting about something..just be natural and talk.

 

[jrd617]



Just go in and say..."Mr/Mrs X, I have a few things for you to sign."
When he/she is signing, just say..."do you have any followup/additional/etc questions for me/us?"
If you have a biz card, give it to them and then say....."If you can't get in touch with X and have ny questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call and I can assist."
Done.
If they start chatting about something..just be natural and talk.

This.

 

[gettoasty]

Well I did that too today, but I hate that awkward silence when they are just pen and paper signing away.

Will be helpful if I was clued in on the case in hand so I have a better understanding of their situation.

I like it when the client is more friendly and will ask me the questions.

 

[ter1413]



Well I did that too today, but I hate that awkward silence when they are just pen and paper signing away.
Will be helpful if I was clued in on the case in hand so I have a better understanding of their situation.
I like it when the client is more friendly and will ask me the questions.

No. You don't have to be clued in..but offer yourself as a resource if ever there is an issue(aka biz card/contact info.)
Think about it this way.....
Your boss left the office early and Mr/Mrs X can not get in touch with him/her. You are home and Mr/Mrs X calls ur cell and you get them the info that they want. You look good. Mr/Mrs X knows that they are being taken care of(and their $$ is in good hands.) You look good(did I say that?)

**** the awkward silence. People with $$ are not like you.

You like when a client is friendly?
Repeat after me........
THIS IS NOT SHOW-FRIENDS....IT'S SHOW-BUSINESS!!!

 

[Harold falcon]

The first client I handled from start to finish all by myself raped his daughter. He's still in prison IIRC.

 

[ConcernedParent]



The first client I handled from start to finish all by myself raped his daughter. He's still in prison IIRC.

 

[GreenFrog]

Honestly dude, being comfortable in those kinds of situations comes with experience. Until you feel confident enough to shoot the **** with them, just focus on getting the paperwork signed. You can easily voice over mundane **** while they're signing (e.g., 'okay, here's the paperwork for __________, if you could just sign here please... perfect, thank you. And here's the next form, this is for _______________, and sign.. right here please! Thank you.") to avoid any awkward silences.

If you're being called in after someone more senior to you has spent time talking to them about ****, there isn't really any expectation that you be able to come in and shoot the **** with them afterwards. You're just the entry level guy doing the work your seniors don't want to do.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

Just BS about life, ask about whatever it is that they like to talk about. They're just people. No one needs to be a conversationalist when they are the ones signing, I'm sure you didn't feel like you needed to start the conversation when you were buying your car/house, ect.

 

[Harold falcon]



Just BS about life, ask about whatever it is that they like to talk about. They're just people. No one needs to be a conversationalist when they are the ones signing, I'm sure you didn't feel like you needed to start the conversation when you were buying your car/house, ect.

Yeah, while I am not a sports fan it is always important to stay up on sports just to have something to talk with people about in these situations.

 

[Joffrey]

If I'm a rich ass mother ****** signing documents, why would I want some pimple face twerp making small talk with me? Get them to sign the documents and get lost. Who cares how you feel about the "awkward" silences?

 

[ter1413]



If I'm a rich ass mother ****** signing documents, why would I want some pimple face twerp making small talk with me? Get them to sign the documents and get lost. [COLOR=FF00AA]Who cares how you feel about the "awkward" silences[/COLOR]?

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