If you’re meeting with clients, be on time. Clients like to work with consultants who respect them. A consultant who isn’t mindful of the client’s time may not be respectful of the client’s needs or budget. Even if you have great skills and knowledge, running late for an appointment makes you look bad.
Years ago, I hired a graphic designer who turned up 45 minutes late for a meeting. He obviously didn’t respect me. Five years later, I was working for a client who was about to hire an ad agency. I saw that same graphic designer’s name on a business card stapled to an agency’s proposal. I let the client know about my experience — and he promptly dropped the proposal into the blue box. Don’t be that graphic designer — show up on time.
"Be on time" from Become a Consultant at ConsultantJournal.com.