After running Elliance for more than 15 years, I have created a list of characteristics that represent our best clients. They are: Goal Oriented They are ambitious and in pursuit of well-defined business goals and objectives. Open Communicators They clearly and generously communicate. They frame situations. Respectful They cherish a relationship of mutual respect, yet they lean on us for our expertise. Quality Oriented They appreciate craftsmanship, value quality and revel in brilliance. Performance Focused They extend trust, yet they expect performance, accountability and return-on-investment. Forward Thinking They stretch us and expect innovation. Relationship Driven They thrive on deep relationships and aren’t interested in transactional relationships. Values Centered They live in the 21st century but are inspired by 18th century values such as responsibility and grace. Fair Minded They want us to make a reasonable profit. They pay their bills on time. Selfless They know that they succeed only when their organization succeeds.