It’s sometimes difficult to tell when your client is working with you and when they’re working against you. There’s a certain amount of mutual respect required in order to maintain a relationship, no matter if the other party is a client or a friend. However, these situations can be tricky. Deciding when it is appropriate to fire a client and when it isn’t can be a tough decision. Today, we’re going to cover some possible scenarios and how you should react.
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Fire a client if…
They treat you as if they’re your boss. The business-like relationship is mutual and they’re paying you for what you have to offer. The fact that they’re the ones with the money sometimes makes them think that they’re the ones with the power. Yes, of course, they have input, especially when it correlates to their own company. But on the other hand, you are a business too. If they don’t respect you and your operations, then they don’t deserve the time of day.
The money you’re getting isn’t worth the work you’re doing. Now this scenario is always subjective. Before you decide to cut the ties for this reason, you should always first try to renegotiate. It takes time and work to establish these relationships between yourself and the client, so think rationally about the effort needed to replace the work that they give you when you’re thinking about firing them.
Don’t fire a client if…
They are temporarily short with you. The main point of this is simply to be reasonable. In the busy world that we live in today, people get caught up easily with the work that consumes their time, and it can sometimes seem as if they’re being rude when in reality they’re just trying to be efficient with their time. Don’t blind yourself to all of the possibilities just because you’ve convinced yourself one way.
You have one bad deal with them. This industry is so variable-based, there’s no way to run a successful business that fires all clients when you run into one problem. The most successful businesses are those that can endure the tough times, and pull through victoriously to see the glory days. You must put in the time and perseverance in order to experience the good times.
Generally, your clients aren’t trying to screw you over. There’s a sort of implied reasonability that holds both parties to a certain standard. Lift up your own respectful side of the deal, and theirs can be expected in response.