#AskLeo - How do you handle customers? Do you drink with them?

Hi,

I've just arrived in the hotel room, after a long night with a customer. I was thinking, for the #AskLeo, by acesontop (not more direct tagging), what are you willing to do, to gain a contract or to make a customer happy,

The customer I had today, is a genuine one, very friendly, with whom I managed to build a relationship of trust over the years, and he follows me, not the companies that I work for.

This guy has only one problem, every time we go out, he needs to drink, and I have to drink with him and also pay for it. It does not bother me that much, as there is a budget for that. He is German and always like to be invited outside of Germany, as in Germany he is afraid to cross the 40€ mark, which is not subject to declaration. By the way, most Germans like to get gifts or eat an expensive steak, if this happens out of Germany. Most people in general like to drink with you, which is another story.

So, I went with this customer today, eating a steak and drinking a lot. I really did not want to, but I felt obliged to, as it is business.

The past 4 years have been good from this point of view, but very stressful, because I have to spend a lot of nights out with the customers. I know that I have to comply a few more years, till all the mistakes I've done in the past are corrected.

I do the extra length in business, and trying not to lose dignity. That is always a tough thing to do. Never get wasted in front of a customer, party with them, and let them have more fun than you have.

The plan is to retire in 4-5 years and do different stuff, but till then, I need to comply.

How about you?

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