Andrew Sobel

Clients for Life

Evolving From an Expert for Hire to an Extraordinary Advisor

"Clients for Life is a landmark book. Dare I say it, this book is a 'must-read.'"
— Tom Peters

Based on groundbreaking research, Clients for Life sets forth a comprehensive framework for how professionals from all fields can develop breakthrough relationships with their clients and enjoy enduring client and customer loyalty. Supported by over 100 case studies and examples drawn from consulting, financial services, law, technology, and other fields, Clients for Life illustrates how you can evolve from an expert for hire–a tradable commodity–to an extraordinary advisor. Riveting portraits of both exceptional contemporary professionals and legendary advisors such as Aristotle, Thomas More, Niccolò Machiavelli, and J.P. Morgan reveal how great client relationships are achieved in practice. If you're concerned with improving client retention, client loyalty, relationship management, and the overall quality of your business relationships, Clients for Life is, in Tom Peter's words, "A must read."

Read about the acclaim for Clients for Life

"Everything you ever wanted to know about being the perfect consultant is in Clients for Life. It goes beyond the nuts and bolts...this book has a deeper insight that makes it valuable for the most seasoned professional advisor, whether a lawyer, accountant, or marketing professional."
— USA Today

"One of the best client-relationship books published recently, this practical guide offers powerful insights for professional advisors and customers alike."
— Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Hooray! The 'professional services' are of surpassing importance in today's knowledge-based economy. They have long been a black hole in terms of research and writing. In one fell swoop, master business strategists Jagdish Sheth and Andrew Sobel change that. Clients for Life is a landmark book. Dare I say it, this book is a 'must-read.'"
— Tom Peters

"The subtle art of giving advice and counsel, and of maintaining a vibrant professional relationship with clients, has never been written about so wisely and with such significance since Machiavelli's advice to the Prince."
— Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business Administration, USC,
and author of Leaders

"What distinguishes the expert from the valued adviser? Sheth and Sobel balance sensible checks and cautions with a wide array of suggestions for professionals seeking to improve the quality of their engagements with clients."
— The Sloan Management Review

"A book steeped in common-sense guidance."
— The Seattle Times

"I found Clients for Life more enjoyable [than The Trusted Advisor], with a rich perspective through wonderful tales of historic figures and insights from business leaders on what they seek, all wrapped into a package that helps advisors to consider their own strengths and weaknesses."
— The Globe and Mail (Canada)

"Distilling the immeasurable concept of a 'good advisor' into a book which is both instructive and readable is a task thought beyond even as talented a duo as Sheth and Sobel. They have succeeded brilliantly and enjoyably, and many–especially those whose profession the book examines so perceptively–will benefit from reading Clients for Life."
— Win Bischoff, Chairman and CEO, Schroders Plc

"This book has moved the discussion of the value of professional advisors up to a new level. It is alive with cases, wisdom, and excellent advice."
— Sir Brian Pitman, Chairman, Lloyds TSB Group