CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS POWER OF PRINT
" THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS TO END THE CLIENT RELATIONSHIP ON A SOUR NOTE ."
standard . However , it is imperative that you do not let your emotions get in the way of your behavior towards them . Don ’ t play the blame game , and certainly don ’ t make it personal .
HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE
In any situation where you are firing a client , you want to make sure you come across as polite and competent . One way to do this is to provide your client with a plan for next steps after being fired .
Your plan should entail how you are going to wrap the business relationship up and tie up any loose ends in an orderly fashion . You should provide a timeline for this and communicate how you will both know that business between you has come to an end . Also include in your plan a referral to another company that is willing to take your client on and provide them with the same or similar services that you have . You may already have a competitor in mind , or you may have to spend some time calling around .
WHEN IS IT TIME TO FIRE A CLIENT ?
Now that you know how to fire a client , you ’ re probably wondering what reasons or behaviors would warrant firing a client . When you decide to end your engagement will vary with your unique situation , but these are some rationales for parting ways with a client .
YOUR CLIENT TAKES UP TOO MUCH TIME
For your business to be successful , you need to earn more money than you spend . If the value of the time your client is taking up exceeds the amount of money they are bringing in , it ’ s time to renegotiate their contract or let them go .
YOUR CLIENT OVERRIDES YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Remember that you are the expert in the relationship . Your client should be implementing your recommendations for the betterment of their company and for the success of the project . If your client is continuously overriding your recommendations or micromanaging your work , it may be time to consider dismissing them .
YOUR CLIENT EXHIBITS A LACK OF RESPECT
Mutual respect is critical in any successful business engagement . No amount of revenue should make you engage in a toxic client relationship . If your client undermines you , constantly questions your work , or treats you as a subordinate , don ’ t put up with it . These are all signs you should end the engagement as soon as possible .
YOUR CLIENT DOESN ’ T COMMUNICATE WELL
As we all know , communication is key , and this applies to your business relationships as well . For each project , you need to communicate with your client to relate news , updates , and questions . In turn , your client will respond to you with agreements , suggestions , and other forms of guidance . If your client isn ’ t communicating with you frequently and in depth , you won ’ t be able to do a good job and the project will suffer .
YOU ’ VE TRIED TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP TO NO AVAIL
The signs we ’ ve discussed so far may occur with varying severity . For example , you may experience mild instances of disrespect or occasionally be unable to reach your client . In these cases , you would have a conversation with your client with an aim to improve the circumstances . If you ’ ve had several conversations with your client , however , and the situation is continuing to deteriorate , then it ’ s time to move on .
Stacey O ' Brien is the VP of Everything at Tulip Media Group and best-selling author of The Ultimate Culture . Stacey has excelled in the business management space for over 20 years . Stacey ' s first book , co-authored with Erika MacLeod is available on Amazon : TM . media / UltimateCulture
TULIPMEDIAGROUP . COM | 23