Comments on: Why I Don’t Want Any More Customers

By: Amy Miyamoto

Amy Miyamoto — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:30:27 +0000

Spot on Elizabeth! I have clients and potential clients. I think these resonate for me because there is a more connected energy of established relationship or potential relationship of service.

I also connect to your three part tribe concept. Although my tribe components look slightly different.

By: ElizabethPW

ElizabethPW — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:30:39 +0000

and that's really the idea, is to be thoughtful of what language you
use. and you've obviously done that with your 3 businesses.

and thank you Tom, I'm so glad you get so much out of my stuff … I
hope we get to connect soon!

By: ElizabethPW

ElizabethPW — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:29:07 +0000

yes, it is the differential that's the problem, the intent/feelings
involved in what language we choose

By: ElizabethPW

ElizabethPW — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:28:20 +0000

yes, yes she is named Gracie.

By: tomlehner

tomlehner — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:03:36 +0000

OK this is a real tough questions here. I am engaged into three types of duties

1) on my ranch business I call them all customers because no matter if people come and buy horses, have their horses trained or simpley jsut want to breed it all comes out to the same they pay me (or better my staff) for my service adn as for the cattle well I sell them to the beef market.

2) in my companies it is just the same - I buy and repair broke down businesses or invest in real estate and sell and rent so they all are my customers becasue with the majority I do not build a close relationship - I devide strongly between the me life and the business life. People becoming close Friends I consider jsut that.

3) my political lobbying I call those people compatriots. Now I am very carefull with the term friends. And though i consider you a friend (and would be honored to be one) until you do so in reverse I can not say we are friends.

I consider myself a follower of your teachings - why is pretty simple - I have seen and consulted many trainers and have a trainer certification myself (not doing it casue I would be a lausy teacher LOL) but you are simpley the best I have ever seen and I have learned so much from you. So I dont know if you consider me a client, i know I ma not a customer, but I see myself as a faithfull follower of Elizabeth Potts Weinstein living the truth. And one day soon I am going to hire you persoanlly one on one for some teachings or maybe on one of the gatherings we can have a nice glass of chardonet and talk some of your teachings through. But still I hope you consider me than as a faithfull follower and client.

Until then take good care of that little angel and God Bless

By: MonicaWB

MonicaWB — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:33:07 +0000

I've heard coaches gush when they talk about their “clients” and then actually use the phrase “just a customer” when talking about someone who purchased a product, Such a turn off. I wonder if they're just not thinking about how negatively this comes across, or if they're intentionally using it as a “big ticket” appeal tactic. I don't think there's anything wrong with saying customer, but I think it's important to feel/express similar enthusiasm/gratitude for that person's attention. I tend to think of people in my workshops, etc. as students… but then again, that's probably because I also teach college students. Not sure if I'll ever break away from that mentality.

By: SusanFriesen

SusanFriesen — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:41:03 +0000

I think we get hung up on the word “clients” because it sounds so “corporate”, which is what many of us purposeful entrepreneurs are breaking away from and forming a new way of doing business – which is based on relationship building and being of service to others. No matter what the label is, it's the intention behind the use of the word that counts and Elizabeth has it bang on.

Susan

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:38:11 +0000

Interesting! I've had this same debate (in my head, of course) about what to call the people who buy things from me.

“Clients” it is.

By: davevandewalle

davevandewalle — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:31:02 +0000

Let's ignore how brilliant this is for a second - do you have a daughter named Gracie???

Awesome choice!

Cheers,

Dave

By: ava diamond

ava diamond — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:54:40 +0000

I love the concept, Elizabeth. Because it truly is all about relationships. Yet, somehow I don't think "client" gets it either.

And when I first read Sarah's comment, I thought, "Yes, I'm building a tribe," but upon reflection, it's so much more than that.

With the stuff we offer, we have the opportunity to profoundly impact people's lives. And one never knows how a kind comment offered will impact someone.

I got a facebook message the other day from a guy thanking me for something I said to him a decade ago when we were facilitating a workshop at IBM. I don't recall the interaction, but he remembered it 10 years later.

So I'm thinking that I have to find or make up a new word. And I don't know what it is.

I made up a new word last weekend for part of what I do, I'm a woman's success strategist and "passionista" . Perhaps I need to make up a new word for this.

Thanks for being so thought provoking.