If you want to know if prospects and customers are going to be good candidates for service contracts, you need to test out proving ground projects.  In fact, proving ground projects are an ESSENTIAL step to building the relationships necessary for service contracts to work.

What is a Proving Ground Project?

Proving ground projects are an initial step in the process of setting the stage for service contracts.  They are the first projects computer consultants complete with new customers that are not yet steady clients.  Consultants use them to prove they know what they are doing, are dependable and good to work with and offer good value.  They are also a time for computer consultants to figure out if their customers will be the right type to sign long-term service contracts.

Keep an Eye out for Warning Signs

If all goes well during the proving ground project, service contracts are a real possibility.  However, make sure if you are a computer consultant that you are very vigilant during the proving ground project so you don’t start a long-term relationship that is doomed.

Some warning signs include …

1.    Customers that change their minds constantly;

2.    Customers that are late for meetings;

3.    Those that are verbally abusive to employees … or to you as a computer consultant;

4.    Customers that feel “above” the rules of relationships.  

The main point is, you CANNOT rush into a relationship that involves service contracts until you figure out you truly can work well with a prospect or customer.  Proving ground projects can help you gauge expectations and how well things are going to work.

Today we talked about why proving ground projects are necessary before you introduce service contracts to computer consulting clients.  To learn more about service contracts, visit the attached link.

Added By:  Joshua Feinberg