Firing a client is usually a difficult decision. Though, sometimes it’s the best course of action, it’s hard to let go of a lucrative relationship. But, when it’s intolerable, and not particularly worthwhile monetarily, moving on is generally the best. However, there are times when you might reconsider. If so, you’ll need to take certain precautions before committing to doing business again. Read on to learn more about how to determine if rehiring a fired client is really the right thing to do.
Most Common Considerations
Perhaps the individual has re-approached you with a plea to resume your working relationship. Or, you're attempting to rebuild your book of business after experiencing a negative impact from the pandemic shutdowns. Whatever the reason, there are, of course, some considerations you'll have to factor into your decision. These begin with trusting your gut instinct.
When you have a business, satisfied clients are essential to your continuous success. Knowing your ideal client and their particular needs is critical to your success. However, pursuing non-ideal ones can kill your business. It pays to be picky about which clients you choose to work with. --Entrepreneur.com
The little inner voice in your head can be an extraordinarily valuable tool. It's a resource in your consciousness that helps you to determine to take one action or another. So, definitely give it it's due because it will most likely point you in the right direction.
Also, you should take at least a little time to revisit your past with this individual. It's helpful to make a list of pros and cons, and then compare and contrast those with the relationship going forward, particularly if you're confident that things will be different this time.
What's more, it's worth warning that if you're doing this solely for the money, it's probably going to lead to another bad outcome. So, understand that you should have other valid reasons for re-establishing the business relationship.
How to Re-Engage an Old Client
Whether you're sincerely convinced that this person is committed to a new way of doing things, or you get a completely different feeling than before, these could be false positives. In other words, do not let the potential outweigh the reality. Fortunately, there are some precautionary measures you can take, like the following:
- Listen very carefully. You'll obviously talk to the individual about doing business again and this is a golden opportunity to listen carefully for telltale warning signs that it's not going to be a positive experience. So, when you do discuss your possible resumption of doing business together, listen and take some mental or written notes about his or her attitude, they are overall enthusiasm, and commitment to a mutually beneficial relationship.
- Talk to other businesses. Just speaking with the individual might not be enough to give you a clear picture. We've all experienced someone who has promised to change this or that, only to be let down. Take a little time to talk to other companies that are currently doing business with this individual and you'll probably learn quite a lot from those conversations. Just a little input from your peers could well be enough to help you make the right decision.
- Establish a clear trial period. Of course, If the previous experience was a negative one, you shouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past. Fortunately, because you have experienced this relationship before, you probably are very well aware of the frustrations. Use this information to establish a trial. And this way, your not setting yourself up for a big mistake.
What other suggestions do you have for dealing with previously bad clients as a business owner? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective!
Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.
Want to Be Successful? Stop Doing these Six Things Starting Now
August 23, 2017
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Who hasn’t heard the adage, “Quitters never win and winners never quit?” But, you’ve probably heard Michael Jordan talk about his career and already know he learned a lot more from losing than winning. So, why is it that we think quitting or failing are bad things? They’re not. In fact, quitting is quite healthy in some life aspects. And, that’s the key to being successful — to know when to stop doing something to move forward. Be More Successful by Not Doing these 6 Things Research conducted by the University of Rochester reveals there are two primary motivations, approaching goals and avoiding goals. Now, that’s sounds strange, but it makes sense when explained. The former personalities find motivation in challenges but also know when it’s futile to continue. The latter group greatly avoid goals due to fear of failure. So, they don’t give up, even when it’s totally illogical to continue. If we didn’t have to work hard to reach success, we wouldn’t appreciate it. If there’s something you’re putting off because it’s boring you, it’s hard, physically demanding or tiring…just get up and get it done. Quit avoiding it. There will be rewards along the way and there will be a great sense of accomplishment at the end. —Forbes Call it bull-headed, stubborn, tenaciousness, or perseverance, it does shed light on a peculiar behavior that represents a real dichotomy. Studies show those who don’t give up typically “win” more often than people who quit. But, not everything works out that way. Realizing when it’s time to stop doing something is just as important as not giving up on realistic goals. To be more successful, you must stop doing these six things right now: Stop doubting yourself. Doubt and fear are powerful foes. Each acts as a paralyzing weapon which causes angst, anxiety, and more negative feelings. When you doubt your own abilities, you’re giving into an illogical fear. Tap into your confidence and let the self-doubt go. Stop procrastinating. Tomorrow is always a day away and it’s why the “Free Drinks: Tomorrow” meme is a popular one. Tomorrow is also known as an excuse. If everything was easy, you wouldn’t procrastinate and tackle it head on. So, stop putting things off and reap the rewards of accomplishment. Stop dodging choices. There’s always a choice and sometimes, too many. But, you always have a choice and if there’s not a good one, simply chose not to undercut yourself. Think outside of the box, if necessary. But whatever you do, don’t give away your power to choose. Stop the insanity cycle. We all know how Einstein defined insanity, by doing the same thing time and again and expecting a different result. Realize when your efforts are not yielding fruit and go in a different direction. After all, it’s the smart thing to do. Stop believing it’ll work out. When you wait for things to just “naturally work out,” you’ll wait an awfully long time. It takes hard work to get ahead and just waiting around won’t move the needle. Take action and you’ll experience traction. Stop saying “yes” all the time. If you’ve seen the movie “Yes Man” you already know that by breaking this habit, you’re not constantly giving your time away. “No” by itself is indeed a complete sentence and it can easily be far more healthy than saying “yes.” What have you stopped doing to improve your chances of success? Which changes did you adopt that yielded the best results? Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment! Interested in learning more about growing your business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]
