Comments on The Business Analysis Blog: Business Analyst Focus on your Client's Customers

Nice approach for getting more business from the s...

2008-09-19T13:58:00.000+05:30

Nice approach for getting more business from the same client.

That's an important area you are focusing on, gett...

2008-08-29T14:03:00.000+05:30

That's an important area you are focusing on, getting more business from the existing client. BAs should give this more thought. Like your approach.

Alex

Interesting Blog. Good point to measure BA's succe...

2008-08-29T13:40:00.000+05:30

Interesting Blog. Good point to measure BA's success by how well they help the client serve their customers better. By the way, you will frequently need to put on your process hat and think about internal "clients" as well as external clients. The internal "clients" might be users of the software or the next process, perhaps department, to use output/this department's work. This often gets overlooked so is worthwhile to bring this out in one of your postings.

Another thought or two...
When learning about your client / industry also think about what it might have in common with another client / industry that you know alot about and that will give you invaluable lessons learned. For example, a client that handles cash has much in common with a banking client. Think about what you have learned to 'delight' your banking client. Or, an insurance client that is processing applications actually has much in common with an assemble to order manufacturing client. Thank about what you learned about quality, kaizen, lean sigma to 'delight' your manufacturing client.

Notice I said 'delight'... the BA that meets needs - helps client define requirements just gets the job done. Aim to meet and exceed the client's needs - help them define the requirements and think of requirements they couldn't have thought of on their own! Always add the most value possible if you want repeat business and referrals.

Three good things for a BA to study are sales, negotiation and process improvement. By the way, I do not recommend Six Sigma any more. Business' needs the combination of Six Sigma and Lean so I recommend Lean Sigma as a good place to start with process improvement.

Laura Schleicher

Well said... Using the products/services of your c...

2008-08-28T06:35:00.000+05:30

Well said... Using the products/services of your clients is also very critical

--> Gaurav: CEO! No but getting inspirations from ...

2008-08-07T00:07:00.000+05:30

--> Gaurav: CEO! No but getting inspirations from the sales people, yes!

Valid point that one should never underestimate the clients and I never supported the otherwise. All I am saying is that it is very different way of tackling the client, where you modify your approach from working for client to working with client and taking the collaboration to different level (by thinking about client's customers). That will make sure that we have a longer lasting, value based, relations with our client but, only if we are helping them meet their requirements (back to our primary task of Business Analysis, a vicious circle :))

Sounds more like a page from a CEO's memoir than a...

2008-08-06T14:52:00.000+05:30

Sounds more like a page from a CEO's memoir than a BA's diary :)

Now from my experience. Don't under-estimate your clients. They often know their business , thier competitors better than you would do, otherwise they wouldn't be running the business. Help them with what they hire you for and do a good job of it. They will be happy.