How do you balance client needs with industry standards?

In my experience, this is always a topic of great debate. So many customers will tell you, we can't do it that way because we have a special way of processing that transaction and then in the next breath, they will ask you "How does everyone else do this?" They want to be special, but also want to know what others are doing. We often have to do a fine balance of understanding their uniqueness and when to leverage that vs when it just makes more sense to follow industry standards. Ultimately, as consultants, we provide options, context and guidance but it is up to the client to make the final decision on how to proceed.

One must understand industry standards and which ones are most important Then understand how your client and competition perform on each criteria Take the three to five most important. Don’t just meet the competition but blow them away. Meet competition on others unless they are not important. Then do not do these. Also search for inner needs like next ten product etc that delights customers, adds value and differentiates you from the competition. Aldo look at other industries

When Apple initially approached the design firm IDEO in the '90s to improve their mouse design, IDEO didn't just jump into sketching. They first sought to deeply understand Apple's specific needs, considering both user experience and aesthetics. They observed user interactions and listened to feedback. This comprehensive understanding led to the creation of the Apple Pro Mouse, a sleek and user-friendly device. This instance exemplifies the profound impact of aligning solutions with a client's unique needs and context.

ISO20700 provides guidelines for management consultancy services. The uniform code of professional conduct provides a certified management consultant (CMC) with the professional obligations which serve the public in general and the client in particular with respect to expectations.

Balancing client needs with industry standards is a delicate and essential process. By actively engaging with clients, understanding their unique requirements, and aligning their goals with the best practices and regulations of the industry, we can ensure a harmonious equilibrium. Open communication and collaboration allow us to identify areas where customization is necessary while maintaining a strong foundation of quality and compliance. Striking this balance empowers us to deliver tailored solutions that not only meet client expectations but also uphold the high standards expected within our industry, fostering lasting relationships and sustainable success.

Bearing in mind that there will always be a benchmark/baseline and on the other hand, best practices frameworks with different levels of maturity, don't go for All-In from the scratch. In the uniqueness of a customer there will be time for: 1) Assessing 2) Put options on the table (showing respective risk/rewards ratios) 3) Finding balance and finally 4) Leverage maturity Personally, I wouldn't alter that order. Progressiveness can walk along with sustainable growth.

It should be an easy question to answer, why shouldn't the needs of our clients be aligned with the market standards? Obviously, the "best practices" must be adapted to each particular market and client, to their culture, budget, size, etc. But, again, that does not mean that the needs are not aligned with these standards and that we use them to give the best to our clients.

Customer service standards are more important now than ever before. With the rise of social media and review sites, consumers have a louder voice than in years past. And they can easily share their buying experiences — good or bad — with the rest of the world.

In my experience consulting for a tech company, I was tasked with implementing a performance management system. The company was interested in cutting-edge solutions, but we needed to balance innovation with adherence to industry standards. We focused on data privacy, accurate reporting, ethical evaluation practices, and risk management. By carefully selecting a platform that combined AI-driven analytics with clear, intuitive dashboards, and incorporating ethical and risk management considerations, we successfully rolled out a system that not only reflected the company's innovative spirit but also adhered strictly to best practices. This demonstrated how innovation and compliance can work hand-in-hand to achieve sustainable success.

When consulting firms are tasked with auditing a company's financial records, they lean heavily on globally recognized standards, like the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Deloitte, for instance, during a major audit, would rigorously adhere to these standards. By doing so, they ensure their evaluations are universally accepted and trusted. Ignoring such standards could lead to misunderstandings, potential legal issues, or loss of client trust. Following standards is paramount in building a solid, reliable consultancy reputation.

I've seen this work well: don't just look at what the industry standard is *saying*, dig deeply into what the standard is trying to *accomplish*. Then build these objectives into how the company operates. That way, instead of worrying about complying with the standards after the fact, the company can just run its operation and *be* compliant to the standard with little to no additional effort. An effective approach to doing this is to look at the operation as a system and consider the standard to be a system constraint on the operation. Then build/solve for the optimization of the entire system rather than the local optimization of just the standard or the business. This can often be achieved without compromising the overall performance.

Can Industry Standards be raised? (Except Corporate Governance). What will be the cost? Is client risk ready to be a changemaker? I don't use fancy management words but ask blunt questions and assesments.

Things are not as simple as black and white. This should be decide on a case by case basis. The industry standards and client needs should be considered carefully. If it is a simple deviation, then client needs could be endorsed. For serious deviation, a flat 'no' to client request might be the answer. There should be bottom line to prevent the consulting firm from getting into trouble.

In 2008, facing the financial crisis, Airbnb quickly adapted to travelers' budget constraints, emphasizing affordable home stays. They introduced a "host guarantee" to boost listings. Their agility during these tough times positioned them as a top choice for budget-conscious travelers.

The most efficient (and hence, effective) way I've seen this done is by giving everyone as much insight into the company's objectives as possible, and as much freedom to act (responsibly) as available. Armed with the resources and knowledge, people can respond to actual conditions. The faster they can respond without interruption and without having to get approvals, the more responsive the entire organization can be. Limits on taking action can be "parameterized" so people know how much leeway they have. The more autonomy and accountability people have, the more actual empowerment they can exercise. Altogether, the faster an operation can respond to events—anywhere, any time, at any level—the better they will perform.

Adapting to the sudden shift to remote work during a global crisis, one of our clients in the tech sector found themselves in need of immediate solutions to maintain employee engagement and productivity. Recognizing the urgency, we swiftly pivoted from our original in-person strategy to a comprehensive virtual Learning and Development program.

Given the dynamic environment of today, industry standards themselves are being redefined by the day. Innovation and improvisation on the job are necessary for every project. In such a scenario, industry standards are no longer an easy to apply template. However their underlying principles are timeless and the fundamentals hold true for every situation. Hence use them as guiding light💡 In my case, the fundamentals of brands and communication holds true ever so in the digital age. However the mediums, speed, and manner have changed. Yesterday communication was one way. Today requires 2 way engagement with consumers. From copywriters we need storytellers. From art directors we need content creators. The objective is still the same.

This is one of the most difficult tradeoffs. But here's what I believe... As a consultant, you can sell industry standards to your client in a subtle way without sounding like you are strongly opinionated about it... That way they'll be more likely to compromise and buy the idea!

Netflix's decision to prioritize streaming over DVD rentals, despite initial industry skepticism, is a prime example. Balancing between immediate profit (DVDs) and the future of entertainment (streaming), they innovated while navigating trade-offs, setting a new industry standard in the process.

Ensuring effective services and maintaining high standards in any professional field requires professionals to carefully consider the needs of their clients along with industry standards. The main objective is to meet individual clients' specific requirements while adhering to established best practices and regulatory guidelines. It is imperative for professionals to actively listen to their clients and fully understand their unique needs and expectations. Effective communication plays a crucial role in acquiring accurate information and comprehending desired outcomes. By doing so, professionals can identify the most suitable strategies to fulfill these needs while considering the limitations imposed by industry standards.

I want to take again the IDEO example. Apple's collaboration with consultancy firm IDEO in the 1990s highlights this. Seeking innovation, Apple partnered with IDEO to design the first computer mouse. IDEO delivered value by producing a user-friendly design, revolutionizing user-computer interaction. This not only met Apple's immediate need but also positioned them as industry innovators.

While working with a major insurance company, I was tasked with developing a leadership program. The challenge was meeting specific needs within budget constraints. I utilized innovative assessments with adaptive learning algorithms to create personalized learning pathways. This approach allowed me to deliver a program on time and within budget that led to significant improvements in leadership alignment with industry standards. The project's success strengthened our client relationship and set a new benchmark for future L&D initiatives within the company.

I agree with the points here. The facts are all good in this article. What I would add is: 1. How you convey to the client the need for balance. 2. Get explicit acknowledgement that the industry standards and the benefits are understood by the client. 3. The pros and cons of any customization to their environment that deviate from the standards are understood, documented and acknowledged as "making sense" to the client.

Picture a tightrope suspended between the towering pillars of conformity and innovation. Fear not, for I shall guide you through this perilous journey. First, acquaint yourself with the sacred scrolls of industry standards, understanding the rules of the game. Then, summon your inner rebel and dare to challenge the status quo, seeking out the freshest best practices. But beware! Avoid plunging into the abyss of reckless disregard for the tried and true. Strive for harmony, blending the wisdom of tradition with the sparkle of innovation. Let your project soar and remember, balance is key. Walk the tightrope with grace, and the consulting gods shall smile upon you.

I would like to add that I often find myself investigating the fine line between crafting solutions that cater specifically to a client's unique needs and recognizing the benefits that come with standardization. It's a constant consideration: how to strike the right balance that serves each client's individual requirements, while also maintaining the efficiencies and scalability that standardized practices can offer. Finding this equilibrium is not always easy, but it's essential to delivering value that resonates with both the client's needs and industry best practices.

Ultimately, it's about balance and your client being able to remain authentic (recognizable in the market) while also adopting industry standards. Additionally, discuss future steps and developmental processes with your client to potentially leverage its strengths and position it in front of the competition, thereby making it a part of the group that sets standards.

Flexibility and pragmatism are essential based on what you are delivering. Clients Implementing a strategic service like an in-house Testing Centre of Excellence or a blended nearshore/offshore Managed Testing Services would expect QA and testing Industry standards to be included in the delivery and operation of that service. Clients implementing a tactical one off Program or Project which has a relatively short lifecycle or a limited budget might consider your professional experience and expertise, a pragmatic flexible approach, an abbreviated framework and measurable periodic results as being sufficient without sticking to industry standards like glue.

Avoid the extremism, too much client sides and one sided industry norms, so Balancing is an art, setting the trends are exceptional, unless our clients will face chaos, so we will too. The role of Regulator is critical and essential to enforce the norms and setting proper norms. These practices can be thrived only on fair and square economy, not an oligopoly and closed one.