Patti DeNucci is regular contributor to the intrepidNOW Network, focusing on connecting and developing business relationships.
If you’ve ever dealt with a difficult client or one that simply leaves you feeling chronically drained, unsure of yourself, or feeling like you are constantly spinning bald tires in slippery mud, you’ll want to check out this list I created during the first few years I owned my communications business.
This list became a necessity, if you want to know the truth.
Here’s how I saw things: Sure, if you own a business you often have to deal with a few prickly personalities and ho-hum projects if you want to stay in business. However, over time I discovered that certain clients, in the end, just weren’t worth the trouble they gave me. It was just too hard and the outcomes weren’t positive.
In contrast, when I decided to get more particular about the people and companies I worked with – and began holding my clients to the same high standards to which they held me – I was much happier, got more done, loved the work I produced, and (eureka!) my business was more profitable.
Why? Because dud clients were not only driving me crazy, they were wasting a huge amount of my time, energy, and emotional bandwidth. Plus, day by day, they killed my creativity, crushed my soul, vanquished my spirit, and distracted me from the clients and opportunities I really loved.
No more!
In speaking, hosting workshops, and writing over the years, I’ve shared this constantly-evolving list with many of my followers, audience members, and coaching clients. Imagine my delight when these awesome people tell me, even years later, that they still rely on this list when evaluating which clients to work with— and which to pass along or give the proverbial boot.
Here we go. You know you’re in a great client relationship when:
If two or more of these factors are missing in any of your client relationships, it may be time to reassess, renegotiate, and have a frank discussion to see what adjustments need to be made. Or it might even be time to let them go and look for brighter, more fruitful opportunities.
What are your less-than-fabulous clients costing you? And what would you add to this list?
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- Connect with Care: Referral Blunders and Yellow Flags to Avoid - August 20, 2015
- 29 Reasons to Say Yes - July 12, 2015
- 12 traits that make you wildly attractive to clients and colleagues - June 4, 2015
