What Working From Home Can Teach You About Your Clients

Thoughts from our Assistant Account Executive Jacy Eisel.

Gone is the bustle — at least for the moment. No angry drivers laying on the horn as if sound can pave a path through traffic. No dreaded coffee line as you wait as patiently as possible for your morning fix while trying not to doze off.

Corporate America has officially traded perfectly pressed suits for yesterday’s sweats. And most of us would admit that, as a result, little has remained the same. Those of us who are client-facing, however, know that what hasn’t changed is the need to communicate with our clients.

It wouldn’t be too difficult to follow the regular script — provide a status update, follow up on yesterday’s email inquiry, nail down your strategy for the upcoming quarter — because like all great account executives, you have it down to a science.

But let’s face it, the formula doesn’t add up anymore.

Here at Havas Helia, we like to go the extra mile, and working from home (WFH) has given us the opportunity to go the extra mile and a half. We’re peering into our clients’ living rooms — not in a creepy way, that’s just where they take their Zoom calls now. And we’re no longer just casually asking them about their family, we’re meeting them. And honestly, life has never been better — for all parties involved.

So, ask about pets. Wave to kiddo. Check on their sanity level. Ask if your client has discovered any killer WFH tips or share some of yours.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting you pretend things are perfect. It’s okay to face the facts. Yes, the world feels like it’s stopped, and nobody knows what the heck is going on or what will happen next. But remember you’re not alone. Your clients are feeling those shockwaves, too. Acknowledge the disruption and use it as a common bond. You just might find yourself surviving quarantine with a little bit of sanity still intact and with stronger client relationships than ever.

And the dogs. Don’t forget about the dogs.

TLDR: Your clients are people, too. Take the time to understand their new norm.

Jacy Eisel is an Assistant Account Executive at Havas Helia. She loves combining creativity with problem-solving to build client brands like Liberty Mutual. When Jacy isn’t reviewing LiMu & Doug content, she’s plotting ways to adopt her own dog.