Refusing work
 It would be lovely to think we only ever attracted dream
clients to our businesses, but unfortunately we
also get the occasional stinker.
Examples include those who ask us to undertake work that's beyond
(or beneath) our expertise. In these cases we
have to weigh up 'income versus annoyance' and ensure we are
mindful of the potential risk to our
reputation.
In my experience, client-funded experimentation is rarely a smart
move and work that's beneath us may well pay
the bills, but it sure numbs the mind.
Then there are the 'payment pest' brigade. These are the prospects
who either don't want to pay; insist on
haggling; expect more than you intended to deliver, or make every
conversation about money the verbal equivalent of
root canal therapy.
Sometimes trouble can brew because of a simple personality clash. If
this is the case we'll need to determine how
that will impact our working relationship and tread carefully before
making a commitment.
Finally, we have those prospects who are either devoid of values and
ethics or who found theirs in some parallel
universe. The easy answer? Run a mile.
So what to do when confronted with the far-from-ideal client? In
many cases if the terms of engagement are crystal
clear, relationship issues can be overcome and indeed gradually go
through a total transformation.
I hate to be harsh, but in most cases we attract 'bad' clients
through our own actions (or inactions).
Ouch!
Don't agree? Lay into me here.
Alternatively, you can
share
your thoughts on client refusal. Either way, let's
commit to making 2007 a client corker.
By the way, big thanks to Dan Norris for suggesting the theme for
this week's missive.
If you have a topic you'd like to see covered in a newsletter or
online article, let us
know.
Until next week.
Love your work,
Robert Gerrish
robert@flyingsolo.com.au
Published 16 January 2007
|
|
|
Is the honeymoon over for you and your business? If you’re
hitting the snooze button more than usual every
morning then perhaps it’s time to rediscover your Flow. 
Trish
Weston
Many soloists struggle with the day to day running of their solo
business and working within their skill set.
Outsourcing can help double our productivity and buy back important
life time.
Summer
Nelson
Naturally, entering awards is a brilliant way to improve the
profile of your business. But it also gives you the
chance to think about what you're doing and how you present
yourself.
Jess
Tyler
Learn how to create and send once off or regular email campaigns;
manage and grow your database; methods for
upselling and cross promotion and how to measure the success and
reach of your email campaigns.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
