Share a time when you had to part ways with a client. What did you learn from the experience? --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
I learned that there is no body here to help me --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
Thank you Lejonta! I’m curious, are you referring to parting ways with a client? I’d love to hear more about your takeaways—whether it’s related to that scenario or if you had something else in mind. Let me know! --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
There have been several times we’ve had to fire a client because they were just generally a pain to work with; always asking for significant discounts, constantly changing directives, missing deadlines, often making unreasonable requests (e.g. can you do this in a day?), and paying late, all of which is a sign that they don’t respect you. We’ve learned that those clients just aren’t worth it, as they will consume too much resources and energy, making it hard to succeed on their project, and that we need to address the behavior quickly or cut them loose and move on. All easier said than done. --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
You mentioned that addressing the behavior quickly is key. I’d love to know how do you set clear expectations with clients from the start to avoid these challenges? --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
1) We have a section of our agreement that speaks about “client involvement”. In essence, it says we aren’t responsible for project delays caused by the client. 2) Rigorous project management and constant communication. 3) We do our best to meet our deliverable deadlines, thereby setting a good example for the relationship. --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
We have fired two clients over the years. Both were one of our larger clients at the time. In both instances, it was so worth it and we ended up picking up the revenue elsewhere, with much better clients. Painful people and businesses to work with just are not worth it. --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
Thank you Gerard! I’m curious, what signs make it clear that a client is more trouble than they’re worth? How do you make the decision to fire them? --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
A leading indication is that all your staff hate working with them! --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
Hi all, keep in mind that regardless the relationship with clients, always have boundaries and professionalism to be respected. --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.
Great advice, thanks! --- This post was migrated from connect.com and was originally published at an earlier date.