We can also mention a third type of customer: developers of greenfield networks in the Middle East (especially public transport and sewerage networks). Their case is quite specific, as they have no experience in civil engineering, but are supported by particularly large teams of engineering firms. Finally, entrepreneurs should also set expectations from the outset. One way to make sure they`re on the same page is to have a list of questions they can ask the client that clearly indicate what they want and expect. It is also useful to consult and update the client regularly. Ask them to participate in every decision, while having your own input and clarifying things along the way. Changes and delays are inevitable in construction projects. These events will strain budget and resources. However, it is important to let the customer participate in everything that happens, including decisions, problems, delays and additional costs. Surprising them ultimately with a larger bill than originally agreed will not only ruin the relationship, but could also damage the company`s reputation and credibility. The definition of terms becomes crucial when it comes to deciding whether a person is an employee, contractor or consultant. In general, contractors and consultants are not employees.

They are individuals outside the organization who provide services to the organization and are not subject to the various federal and state payroll tax laws. Contractors and consultants are more likely to be paid without withholding tax and issue a federal tax form 1099 for all funds received. There are about 20 factors used by state and federal agencies, including the IRS, to determine in which category of contractors ( consultants – employees) a person belongs. A relationship is one-way and both parties should hold each other accountable; It is therefore quite acceptable to demand expectations from the customer. In addition, they should also respect their end and deliver what was required of them. Entrepreneur-client relationships are truly professional in nature, but kindness, mutual respect, and understanding must be part of them, like any other relationship. Developing a personal connection can start by recognizing them as a person who is more than a paycheck to show general courtesy. It can be frustrating when customers disappear in the middle of the project or are flaky from the start. Without their input, entrepreneurs have to make decisions themselves that could end up exasperating the client. In another scenario, absent clients cost the project a lot of time lost. There are many reasons why this happens. Most often, it comes down to a lack or miscommunication.

If the entrepreneur doesn`t ask the right questions, things may not be clear. Alternatively, the customer may be unreasonable and expect the impossible. In general, a consultant is an independent independent businessman who has a specific area of expertise or competence. The consultant provides expert opinions or experts, advice or services regarding information or documents in his/her field of knowledge or training to help others make decisions or perform tasks. Once you have found the right independent professional for your project, you need to define your business relationship with a contract. A service contract is a binding agreement between you and the independent professional you hire that includes specifications such as a start and end date of the work, as well as procedural and operational requirements. This is a great opportunity for you and the independent professional you work with to sit down and discuss the resources, limitations, and terms of your engagement. This story, “Know the Difference Between Contractors and Consultants,” was originally published by CIO.

In the past, expert customers were customers for tens of kilometers of tunnels and other underground work. Their experience is all the stronger as some of them will have their own in-house design departments. In most cases, these customers are railway infrastructure managers or public transport managers (especially the metro). The best examples of this type of customer are the major European and Asian railway and transport companies, for which a new tunnel construction project will eventually be a “tunnel among other tunnels”. In the same way, entrepreneurs gain the trust of their customers by being a reliable source of information and being there to answer all the questions that are asked of them. Once the client has initiated the project, they are also responsible for overseeing the process and working closely with contractors and project managers. Roughly speaking, the project`s customers can be divided into two different categories: “customer experts” and “customer buyers”. .