Consultancy: Client Intake
The intake is the first real conversation with a (potential) client, and it sets the direction for everything that follows. A rushed or poorly structured intake leads to a wrong problem definition, a mismatched scope, or a client who feels unheard. A good intake gives you a shared, well-founded understanding of the problem, the context, and what the client actually needs from you.
Starting Points
- A Step-by-Step Guide to the Consulting Process
- How to Structure & Streamline the Agency Client Intake Process
Key Points
- You can explain the purpose of a client intake and what should be achieved by the end of it.
- You can prepare a set of open questions that uncover the client's underlying problem, goals, and context, rather than only the symptoms they mention first.
- You can qualify whether an assignment is a good fit, considering the client's needs, budget, timeline, and decision-making authority.
- You can identify the key stakeholders involved in or affected by the problem during the intake.
- You can summarize and check back the client's problem statement and expectations to confirm mutual understanding.
- You can translate the outcomes of an intake into a clear next step, such as a proposal, a diagnosis phase, or a project kickoff.