Confirm the agreement before requesting access
Do not begin collecting passwords or working from informal chat instructions. Confirm that the service, scope, price, payment terms, start date and main contact are documented in the appropriate agreement or platform.
Collect the right information
- Business and contact details
- Primary goals and immediate priorities
- Approved scope and excluded tasks
- Communication channel and response expectations
- Existing procedures, files and responsible team members
Handle access safely
Ask the client to use approved account invitations, role-based access or a password manager. Do not request that passwords, one-time codes, banking details or government identification be sent through ordinary email or chat.
Run a documented kickoff
- Review goals, scope and the first priorities.
- Confirm who can approve work and decisions.
- Agree on status-report timing.
- Record open questions, owners and due dates.
- Send a concise written recap after the meeting.
Complete a first-week review
At the end of the first week, confirm completed setup items, access still needed, early risks, workload assumptions and the next reporting date. Correct misunderstandings before they become recurring problems.