(Although this article is geared towards small business owners, the information is just as applicable to a similar personal situation, only the action is slightly different.)
Here is the scenario. You have begun your day at work. Your day is planned ahead, with the big challenges first. You want to finish these up, get them out of the way and take a little time off this afternoon for yourself. You deserve and need it to stay your best for your family, yourself and your customers.
Just as you get into your first task of the morning, the phone rings. "I need help right now!" It's Joe Blow, your most troublesome customer (friend).
For the last six months, Joe has been coming to you with his problems (never challenges or opportunities) expecting you to drop everything and help him. From the very beginning you realized it was probably a mistake to have taken Joe on as a customer. No matter how much you charge Joe for your services, Joe will never be satisfied, and you will never make a profit.
Joe, and customers like him, seem to have an innate ability to attract problems as honey does bees. Of course he blames everyone else, waits until the last minute, and calls you to bail him out.
What do you do?
Don't. By fulfilling Joe's needs for instant gratification, and allowing him to create a habit of calling you instead of installing disciplines of his own you are hurting not only him, but you as well.
Don't bail him out. Be honest with him, and yourself. Refer him to someone who can help him if necessary. Try this: "Joe, although I appreciate your business, in my opinion my company is not serving you in the manner you require, and this is not a good fit for both of us. With your permission, I am going to refer you to a company that I believe will be a much better match for your needs."
You should have a list of at least 100 people of every profession to whom you refer business and expect them to return the favor. You haven't done that? Refer Joe to an organizational, or business coach. Refer him to a competitor. Let them have him. You get rid of him and saddle them at the same time! Seriously though, you need to keep your priorities in line and in focus. Customers like Joe, no matter how well they pay, are seldom profitable when you factor in time, actual costs and energy consumed.
Focus on the customers or clients you want to attract, and make sure you have room in your business when they do show up. They always do.
Your Coach and online friend,
Miami
Helping others find their path - and stay on it.
www.creativemasterminds.com
Quotation of the Week
Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.
W. Clement Stone
About The Author
Miami Phillips is an ANSIR Certified Personal Coach and the founder of Creative MasterMinds who believes personal growth is an essential ingredient to being happy and contributing to this world. While his main focus is affordable personal and business coaching, he also offers motivational teleclasses, ebooks, reading recommendations and much more. To find out more visit his site at www.creativemasterminds.com or send him an email at www.creativemasterminds.com
home cleaning services Deerfield ..Today is a Red Letter Day! It's special because today... Read More
Business card size works well for invitations to special events.What... Read More
Are you tired yet of all the books out there... Read More
Cleaning concrete is tough and there is an easy way... Read More
If you own a mobile service or home based franchise... Read More
What is the best time to expand a mobile car... Read More
Many government department heads are on the take. Oh they'll... Read More
It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More
Most businesses accept checks as form of payment for goods... Read More
My colleague, Jane, recently lamented to me an all too... Read More
Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More
Why should you always maintain a good report with a... Read More
Why should you do informative talks to smaller groups?Informative talks... Read More
Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More
Deciding to start your own franchise is just one of... Read More
It has been said that the only constant is change.... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
If you run a pressure washing business it is a... Read More
The American system of business management has been admired and... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Get maximum results with minimum effort. Sounds great doesn't it?... Read More
Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More
Announcements can be handed out as a business cardAnnouncements can... Read More
Are you -- like 70 percent of small business owners... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
recurring housekeeping Highland Park ..Self-cleaning glass has been talked about a lot, with such... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
Many companies wish to expand and a few wish to... Read More
One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More
Now that winter has passed, the annual ritual of spring... Read More
Ok, so next to the taxman, your company payroll department... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
For really tough boat hull cleaning you will need to... Read More
Everything starts with a business plan: If you don't have... Read More
Seventy percent of US households use the web when shopping... Read More
Incredible as it sounds, you have a goldmine of free... Read More
You want to know more about making money with your... Read More
What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers?... Read More
Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More
The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More
It appears the mini-blimp indoor theme and concept is making... Read More
As a practitioner and student of Small Business Marketing, I... Read More
Many mobile pressure-washing companies turn to government contacts to make... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More
Thinking of starting a business on line? If so there... Read More
The stock market is still on a wild roller coaster... Read More
Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More
1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More
E-mail and Internet use are integral parts of the typical... Read More
Small Business |