Working more closely with our clients
Client/agency has been the world we’ve occupied for a long time. Clients want something and the agency delivers. In between there’s discussion, a brief and then sign-off after a few iterations.
The emphasis was on the agency to have the ideas and on the client to vet and agree such deliverables.
However at Redweb, things are changing and many of our clients are now expecting greater transparency. They are keen to play a fuller part in the solution definition and scoping of their projects. Our clients have a lot of digital expertise and hence can benefit our work tremendously.
Client involvement means easier communications, which can result in better control and allocation of costs. By being more integrated into the design process, stakeholders can better understand the challenges and provide more instant input into the prioritisation of needs.
In addition, our clients generally know their target audience better than us and can act as valuable champions. Although we advocate end user involvement, our clients will provide immediate insight and expertise into the needs and goals of the target markets.
This opening of our doors and a conscious decision to involve our clients is something we believe in. In a number of projects it has reduced time and allowed us to minimise the back-and-forth process of approval, when a project is being defined. It gives our clients the opportunity to have their say in a more collaborative forum, as well as allowing them to understand the reasoning we may suggest a components to the solution.
To back this approach we have devoted space and investment to provide breakout and brainstorming areas across our offices. This includes a dedicated space in central London as well as new areas in Bournemouth. We want to create something different to just meeting rooms. We want to provide an environment that isn’t the same as our clients’ own spaces.
The result is that clients like to work with us as they feel involved. We seek to establish partnerships and this we believe is a good way to seal that bond. So far the reaction has been great and we will continue to invite our clients to use our facilities and expand this philosophy moving forward.
