(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
shuttle from O'Hare Brocton .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareA Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More
Sometimes when you run a business you feel as lonely... Read More
You've come up with the best idea since sliced bread,... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are... Read More
When a regulator finds a target to go after to... Read More
On Monday the Department of Corporations in California revoked franchise... Read More
It appears the mini-blimp indoor theme and concept is making... Read More
A reader of one of my online sessions asked should... Read More
Over the years I heard the best way to learn... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
You know your prospects need what you sell. You know... Read More
When should you create a foundation in order to solidify... Read More
Are you a small business owner who wants to expand... Read More
Buyers want both online and local information about where to... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
Macon, GA goes after garage-gas station conversion detail/hand car washes... Read More
Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More
Entrepreneurs are hardy stock. But sometimes hardiness can get you... Read More
So it's time to invest some finances into advertising your... Read More
Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
Passion. Passion alone can make your business successful. As an... Read More
Chicago charter limousine service Hickory Hills ..Having a successful business means also having a good working... Read More
Multimedia is everywhere on the Internet, whether in the form... Read More
Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More
Before you start a business we encourage you to prepare... Read More
The difference between rates and wages is not always clear... Read More
Many pressure washing companies will be glad to take on... Read More
Every employee would like to earn as high a salary... Read More
Shipping materials can be expensive! Even the styrofoam "peanuts" can... Read More
Most small businesses will not even try to advertise on... Read More
Are you responsible for your results?What comes to mind when... Read More
It's a strange anomaly.Most people who set out to start... Read More
If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More
So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More
As a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, one of... Read More
If you are a small business you know that you... Read More
What would happen if you decided to take an extended... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More
Franchisor expansion policies are not as simple as one might... Read More
The resume writing service serves an important role in the... Read More
All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More
If you have ever had your antique shop or mall... Read More
If you really want to earn more money with your... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
Small Business |