| Copyright (c) 2009 Alan Gillies | | | | trying to understand their point of view. If you |
| Quite a few people may consider that you, as a | | | | can, set things right. |
| business owner, would be out of your mind to | | | | When all else fails, it is time to end the relationship. |
| actually want to say goodbye to a client! But | | | | Now you can go about this in several different |
| sometimes it's simply the best course of action to | | | | ways. You might try the subtle approach - |
| choose. A business coach may recommend to | | | | increase your rates, appraise your agreement and |
| you that an aggravating, complaint oriented or | | | | see what happens. Of course they may agree to |
| demanding client just isn't good for morale, | | | | your rates, which is great from one point of view. |
| productivity and the overall bottom line. It's | | | | Chances are though that they will decline and end |
| entirely up to you as the business owner to | | | | the association. Always be polite, whichever route |
| choose if and when it's actually time to take | | | | you decide to take. Never lose your temper and |
| action and terminate that client. | | | | never burn bridges. Listen to your business coach |
| There can be many reasons involved. For | | | | and always be professional when you deliver the |
| instance, sometimes certain clients may refuse to | | | | news; try never to be downbeat. All interactive |
| pay what they owe or ignore the mutually agreed | | | | human relationships benefit from a positive spin. |
| upon payment schedule. Other times, they won't | | | | Try and broach the news in positive terms, citing |
| hold to their end of the agreement, which may | | | | a benefit as the primary point of your |
| involve supplying you with information, materials | | | | conversation, with the secondary element relating |
| or other essential items that you may require to | | | | to the actual termination. Studies have shown, and |
| fulfil your end of the agreement. Occasionally, a | | | | business coach reviews concur, that if you can |
| client may be obnoxious or overly demanding to | | | | approach a controversial topic in a positive light, it |
| staff or to yourself, or may think that they can | | | | will make it easier to achieve your goals. For |
| "get away with anything" because to their | | | | example, you might make the focal point of the |
| particular position. At other times, your bottom | | | | conversation the fact that your business has |
| line will dictate your reason - the money simply | | | | grown in a different and new direction, but that |
| isn't good enough. | | | | you will not be able to serve his or her needs |
| Have you really tried to make this work? This is | | | | properly as a consequence. Try to offer an |
| certainly a question that your business coach will | | | | alternative solution and to make a bridge between |
| ask you. After all, we all know how difficult it can | | | | yourselves and the future. |
| be to get new clients, so it certainly makes sense | | | | As your business coach will keep repeating - |
| to put as much effort as possible into trying to | | | | always leave on the best possible terms, as you |
| salvage a relationship. Try enhancing your | | | | never know when a recommendation or referral |
| customer service, using conciliatory language and | | | | might benefit you! |