Why I called time out on a client this week?

No one wants to say goodbye to a paying client, but sometimes enough is enough. Let me explain…

This week, I told a client that I didn’t want to work with them anymore. It goes against everything I believe in – my business is all about helping other businesses succeed, not abandoning them when things are hard. However, you have to draw a line somewhere. When there’s genuinely nothing you can do to help someone, and you’ve exhausted all avenues, you are wasting your time carrying on. 

Why?

Here’s why I had to say goodbye to this particular client:

• The business owner didn’t trust the process
• The business owner was not open and honest
• Their agenda was more important than the rest of the leadership team
• They did not fit their seat
• They hold their ego over others
• They are scared of losing everything
• They were not willing to receive feedback

I know what you’re thinking – that’s quite a list. You’re probably wondering how things got so bad. 

The backstory

I had been working for this company for a while, and it became obvious to me, as well as others in the business, that they had hit a ceiling that they couldn’t break through. Most of this was down to the owner.

The owner was in a Catch 22 situation. They didn’t have the experience to figure out how to take their business further, but they also didn’t trust the leadership team to break through. Because they were scared, it meant they wanted to be involved in every aspect of the business, unwilling to relinquish any control or allow anyone to use their initiative, yet adding little to no value.

As a result, many excellent people on the leadership team have left the business. The team has seen many changes over the last year, but still, the owner doesn’t see the signs that they are the issue. The leadership team members that remain show incredible passion – if only the owner could trust them, I’m positive that they would succeed in breaking through this ceiling. The owner needs to find their unique ability in the company, but they’re too frightened to fail.

Let go of the vine

To succeed in running a fast-growing business, you need to be willing to take a close look at yourself. You need to be able to be open and honest, with yourself and others. But perhaps most of all, you have to be able to trust. Trust the people you have put in influential positions (there must have been a reason you put them there!) and trust the process. 

I call it letting go of the vine. Listen to others around you, let down your guard, be vulnerable, but most of all, be real.

Don’t be afraid

As for me, it’s not ideal to say goodbye to a client, but there are times when you just have to do it. If you have given it your best shot, but the other side is unwilling to adapt so you can do your job, you are wasting valuable time and serving no one. When you acknowledge this and take action, it comes as a relief. 

If you find this situation with your clients, don’t be afraid to bite the bullet and cut ties with them. It’s experience building.

Find out more

If you need help with your business right now, contact me and I will help you understand where to start with improving your business; email at [email protected] or call 07734 083842.

You can also visit my website to find out more.