Toxic Clients: 3 Reasons to Fire Them

I ran across a fantastic blog that said it all so well that I rushed to gain permission to re-blog.  I have cut the article in two parts for easier reading. Here is Part 1.

A bit about our guest blogger: Emily Brackett is president of Visible Logic, Inc. Established in 2001, Visible Logic is a graphic design firm that works across all media—including web sites, logos, print materials, annual reports and book design. Based in Portland, Maine, Visible Logic builds complete
branding systems and designs individual projects for clients across the U.S. You may reach Emily or learn more at: www.visiblelogic.com

Unfortunately, I am currently in the midst of “separating” myself from a toxic client. And while this blog post is not about design, it is about being a small business owner, and I had to write it.
First of all, what makes a toxic client? There can be many variations and each is unique but there are usually early red flag warnings, followed by one or more of the following:

• Disrespectful behavior. Any client relationship should be a partnership, not a stomping ground.
• Pays late, disputes bills. If you are providing a professional service you should be paid. Someone who constantly questions your bills are questioning the quality of your work or your honesty in billing them.
• Questions your skills and expertise. If you are providing a service you are getting paid to help someone using your specialized experience. If a client continually questions your decisions, they don’t feel comfortable about your level of expertise.
• Undermines projects. When working with a  client, there should be a mutual goal of creating something together. For us, that means a web site, a logo, an ad, etc. We should be helping each other. When a client becomes an obstacle rather than a resource, there is a problem.

The first question I always ask my clients is:  How many toxic clients do you currently have and what are they costing you in time and revenue?
 It takes guts and courage to fire a toxic client.  How do you do it? Think about finding a colleague or consultant to 'second' you in your decision and communication with the client.

Second Part of blog next week.  Stay tuned. 

Laurelle Johnson
Strategies For Growth
The Good The Bad and The Ugly
Client Retention Program
laurelle@laurellejohnson.com

My response to Dr. Phil and the mommy wars

TV is about stories based on conflict.  Daytime TV is based on conflict, real or imagined, but mainly manufactured!

So Dr. Phil's show on moms vs moms has made blogging history as EVERYONE has an opinion. The debate centers around which was better: stay-at-home moms or working moms.  Can you imagine the call for blood on both sides?

This polarization of women makes my skin crawl. But then women have always been at each others throats over who has what. "Thank God the grass is always worse on the other side." they say under their breaths. 

This time out, I find this argument deeply troubling. OMG I need a glass of wine before I scream out to all these women - you are missing the point!

I mean really, how spoiled are we as American women?  Talk to your housekeeper if you want to see the no-choice woman in action.  Talk to the woman in a third world country who has NO options to work to put food on the table.Talk to the women of the world who know, deep inside, that womens work is work no matter where you stand in this debate.

I want to know why we women cannot take our tremendous talents and energies into focusing on our commonalities: children.  

Public schools are failing and need us to prod the state into making them the best in the world. Everyday, everywhere on our blogs, newsletters, letters to our gov't officials should reflect our deep concern for our children, not our resentment of each others life circumstances. 

The health care system for children is a horror story that getting worse.  Where are the mothers of America in making a big stink about this one? 

If American women (working or stay-at-home) have enough energy to complain, then I say take that energy and move it to complaining loudly about our schools and health care system!

In the words of Eunice Shriver to her daughter Maria, "Quit your gipping!"