You're Fired: Saying Goodbye to a Valuable Client

<h1>You're Fired: Saying Goodbye to a Valuable Client</h1>Author: <a title="Alan Gillies" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/alan-gillies/109226.htm">Alan Gillies</a> Copyright (c) 2009 Alan GilliesQuite a few people may consider that you, as a business owner, would be out of your mind to actually want to say goodbye to a client! But sometimes it's simply the best course of action to choose. A business coach may recommend to you that an aggravating, complaint oriented or demanding client just isn't good for morale, productivity and the overall bottom line. It's entirely up to you as the business owner to choose if and when it's actually time to take action and terminate that client.There can be many reasons involved. For instance, sometimes certain clients may refuse to pay what they owe or ignore the mutually agreed upon payment schedule. Other times, they won't hold to their end of the agreement, which may involve supplying you with information, materials or other essential items that you may require to fulfil your end of the agreement. Occasionally, a client may be obnoxious or overly demanding to staff or to yourself, or may think that they can "get away with anything" because to their particular position. At other times, your bottom line will dictate your reason - the money simply isn't good enough.Have you really tried to make this work? This is certainly a question that your business coach will ask you. After all, we all know how difficult it can be to get new clients, so it certainly makes sense to put as much effort as possible into trying to salvage a relationship. Try enhancing your customer service, using conciliatory language and trying to understand their point of view. If you can, set things right.When all else fails, it is time to end the relationship. Now you can go about this in several different ways. You might try the subtle approach - increase your rates, appraise your agreement and see what happens. Of course they may agree to your rates, which is great from one point of view. Chances are though that they will decline and end the association. Always be polite, whichever route you decide to take. Never lose your temper and never burn bridges. Listen to your business coach and always be professional when you deliver the news; try never to be downbeat. All interactive human relationships benefit from a positive spin.Try and broach the news in positive terms, citing a benefit as the primary point of your conversation, with the secondary element relating to the actual termination. Studies have shown, and business coach reviews concur, that if you can approach a controversial topic in a positive light, it will make it easier to achieve your goals. For example, you might make the focal point of the conversation the fact that your business has grown in a different and new direction, but that you will not be able to serve his or her needs properly as a consequence. Try to offer an alternative solution and to make a bridge between yourselves and the future.As your business coach will keep repeating - always leave on the best possible terms, as you never know when a recommendation or referral might benefit you! About the Author: Alan Gillies is the Managing Director of the L2L Group, specialising in providing Executive Coaching, Training and Consultancy Services to Businesses across the Globe. Want to learn more about these business success strategies? Get Alan's popular <a href="http://L2LGroup.com/">FREE Business Pack</a> today!Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/youre-fired-saying-goodbye-to-a-valuable-client-1007193.html" title="You're Fired: Saying Goodbye to a Valuable Client">You're Fired: Saying Goodbye to a Valuable Client</a>

Quite a few people may consider that you, as a business owner, would be out of your mind to actually want to say goodbye to a client! But sometimes it's simply the best course of action to choose. A business coach may recommend to you that an aggravating, complaint oriented or demanding client just isn't good for morale, productivity and the overall bottom line. It's entirely up to you as the business owner to choose if and when it's actually time to take action and terminate that client.

There can be many reasons involved. For instance, sometimes certain clients may refuse to pay what they owe or ignore the mutually agreed upon payment schedule. Other times, they won't hold to their end of the agreement, which may involve supplying you with information, materials or other essential items that you may require to fulfil your end of the agreement. Occasionally, a client may be obnoxious or overly demanding to staff or to yourself, or may think that they can "get away with anything" because to their particular position. At other times, your bottom line will dictate your reason - the money simply isn't good enough.

Have you really tried to make this work? This is certainly a question that your business coach will ask you. After all, we all know how difficult it can be to get new clients, so it certainly makes sense to put as much effort as possible into trying to salvage a relationship. Try enhancing your customer service, using conciliatory language and trying to understand their point of view. If you can, set things right.

When all else fails, it is time to end the relationship. Now you can go about this in several different ways. You might try the subtle approach - increase your rates, appraise your agreement and see what happens. Of course they may agree to your rates, which is great from one point of view. Chances are though that they will decline and end the association. Always be polite, whichever route you decide to take. Never lose your temper and never burn bridges. Listen to your business coach and always be professional when you deliver the news; try never to be downbeat. All interactive human relationships benefit from a positive spin.

Try and broach the news in positive terms, citing a benefit as the primary point of your conversation, with the secondary element relating to the actual termination. Studies have shown, and business coach reviews concur, that if you can approach a controversial topic in a positive light, it will make it easier to achieve your goals. For example, you might make the focal point of the conversation the fact that your business has grown in a different and new direction, but that you will not be able to serve his or her needs properly as a consequence. Try to offer an alternative solution and to make a bridge between yourselves and the future.

As your business coach will keep repeating - always leave on the best possible terms, as you never know when a recommendation or referral might benefit you!

Alan Gillies is the Managing Director of the L2L Group, specialising in providing Executive Coaching, Training and Consultancy Services to Businesses across the Globe. Want to learn more about these business success strategies? Get Alan's popular FREE Business Pack today!

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