In general, there are two types of people. Some people always try to say “yes” all the time so that they can please others. And some individuals are willing to take a stand and say “no,” even at the expense of sounding awkward.
There’s a reason why saying “no” from time to time makes good business sense. Some people say yes to everything they’re invited to and every client request. Over time, constant requests can eat away at your time – your most precious resource as a business leader. Constantly having your time taken up doing things that don’t get you any closer to your goals can leave you feeling tired out and resentful – not what you want if you’re trying to run a successful business.
So what’s the answer?
Say No To Toxic Clients
Toxic clients are an unfortunate part of any business. These are the clients who take up 80 percent of your time but only generate 20 percent of your revenue if that. They’re always on the take and looking for ways to screw you over. The fact that toxic clients are real is why it’s a good idea to get professional indemnity cover from a company like Kingsbridge, just in case. This cover helps to protect you in the event that a client sues. It’s also important to remember that, as a business, it’s your prerogative to limit contact or discontinue your relationship with them. Nobody is forcing you to do business with anybody, especially if that person is losing you money. If you suspect you’re dealing with a problem client, be clear with them about your company policies upfront. Try to set out clear boundaries early on to prevent mission creep at a later date.
Say No To People Who Ask For Free Stuff
Economists like to say that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Ultimately, everything has to be paid for by somebody. But some clients like to see what they can get away with anyway. As a freelancer, contractor or business leader, you’ll be asked by clients to discount your prices and give out freebies. Sometimes, this can be turned into simple marketing, but often it can’t. Remember that everything you do for free gets in the way of you achieving your own personal goals for the business.
If you find that clients are constantly asking for freebies and discounts, explain to them why you think you’re worth the price that you’re charging. If they’re not happy, they can always go somewhere else to try to find the same quality of service for less.
Say No To Petty Jobs
Another problem that businesses face is constant demand they do petty jobs. Often clients who are currently paying for the completion of a large project will ask companies to do small, extra jobs for free. They want you to do “just one more little thing” for them, hoping that it won’t add to the overall cost. If you’re going to do these extra jobs, always remember to charge for them, no matter how inconsequential they may seem. Remember, you’re still working against the clock and the longer you spend doing work for free, the less time you have to work for other clients.
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