Full Focus Limited
P O Box 33489
Takapuna, Auckland
t: 09 489 1650
f: 09 489 1650
David Martin: 0274 902 401
Kathy Martin: 027 2800 564
RECENT FOCUS May 2010
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WHY IT'S OK TO FIRE YOUR CLIENTS
Have you ever wished you could fire your client?
Perhaps you've briefly entertained the thought and then dismissed it as absurd.
The general pull in business is, if someone wants to pay you to do the job, then you take their money and do the job. Seems silly not to. Right? Wrong!
Sometimes walking away from business makes more sense and is more profitable in the long run, than doing the business.
Let’s be honest. We’ve all had nightmare clients. They demand too much, they’re rude and generally a real hassle to deal with. Yet despite all this, the pull of the game is to keep them on because after all, they’re paying you aren’t they?
But have you ever calculated how much these clients cost your business? If you did, you might find out that some of your most annoying clients are costing you more than you’ve earned from them. Imagine that!
You need to consider that apart from the real dollar cost, there’s also a cost to your business in terms of your staff. A rude and abrasive client will not make for a happy team. You do the numbers. Sometimes the smartest move you can make is to fire a client that's making you and your team’s lives a living hell.
There are always a few warning signs that a client could be a nightmare, such as –
- Not returning calls or emails regarding payment or support queries.
- Try to dictate how they deal with your business and ignore the rules and processes you have in place to make your business efficient so you can provide a quality product/service.
- They have a demanding tone or sarcastic demeanor.
- They use CAPS when TALKING TO YOU and DEMAND that you FIX something NOW!!!!!!
- They refuse to pay for services that you provided in good faith.
- They are never satisfied with your efforts to keep them happy.
You need to ask yourself if this client is adding value to your business or reducing it. If the cost of supporting this client is more than the dollars you get from the client then fire the client!
If you’re worried the client will start spreading negative comments around town. Don’t. This type of client has probably already been bagging you even when you were trying to keep them happy. It’s who they are – nothing to do with you.
But BEWARE – there’s a flip side to this coin - if you have more complaining clients than happy ones then you should look at your offerings and service to see if there is something you need to improve …. FAST!
At the end of the day you're in your own business to improve your lifestyle and be in control. Having a client that causes you and your team stress and money is really taking you back to the days of employment when you had no real control at all.
Is that where you want to be?
What's new?
Full Focus appoints associate advisor
Meet Karyn Grindlay, who joins our team as an associate advisor. You can read all about Karyn, and our special FREE introductory offer, by clicking here.
Logos & Links page
If you missed our new logos & links page, you can check it out by clicking here.
If you're a client and would like your logo and website link included on our new page, just send us an email.
Don’t forget to check out our latest blog posting
We talk about Karyn’s appointment to our team, and our special FREE introductory offer.
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