Go To Small Business Home | Add to Favorites
Fire Your Customers
It’s time to thin the ranks and fire some customers. That’s right, can ‘em, send them packing and tell them their business isn’t welcome here anymore. Sound crazy? It’s crazy if you don’t!
Why would anyone fire a customer? Simple. It’s costing you too much time and money to keep them around. This is obviously not an exercise where you send termination notices to valued clients. This is an exercise to get rid of the dead wood.
As you scan your list, there will be a certain type of customer that deserves the ax. Here is the profile: They always quibble over price and once they’ve stripped your profit margin, will pay slow, real slow. This customer is never happy with your service no matter what you do. They can’t be pleased. This soon-to-be-ex client never refers any new business to you and try as you might you cannot establish a working relationship. They have no loyalty to you and will jump as soon as they get a better deal from someone else. They call and complain often threatening to take their business elsewhere. Let them go.
In today’s marketplace where superior customer service sets apart the winners from the losers, discussion about shedding customers isn’t always popular. Running your business isn’t a popularity contest, it’s about doing what’s best for the future. Fire some of your customers. Your business will be better and so will you.
About the author:
Brian Grinonneau is the general manager of McMann and Tate Advertising in Perrysburg, Ohio, and agency that works exclusively with small business owners helping them stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Source: Article Directory
Secret Strategies Of The Gurus: Guru 1 - Bill Gates As A Small Business Entrepreneur
Introduction: Strategies are strategies. Dismiss for a moment from your mind what some people are saying about Bill Gates's offensive practices he used to transform himself from a small business entrepreneur to a titan in the business world. There are yet honest-to-goodness strategies we can glean from his sleeves. We ca...(related: Small Business)
It's Time To Get All Strategic - Small Business Marketing Stategy
Copyright 2005 J D MooreSo what's your small business marketing strategy? I'm willing to bet that close to 85% of the people reading this are scratching their heads now. Many small business owners fail to create a marketing strategy at all, instead focusing on tactics.Let me give you one of the definitions of strategy ...(related: Small Business)
Business Laws: What You Need To Know
There are a myriad of things you must think about when opening any type of business whether it is a small business or a large corporation and one of those is how business law may affect you. Failure to pay attention to business and corporate law can land you in a world of trouble-both legal and financial. The g...(related: Small Business)
|
 |
|
|
Why You Need A Business Planning System Not A Business Plan
Copyright 2005 David CoffmanWhen someone mentions business planning we have been conditioned to think about writing a business plan. There are hundreds of books and articles, tons of software, an army of consultants, and a multitude government programs to help you write a business plan. There are virtually no resources to help you set up what today’s business environment really demands – a continuous, ongoing planning system. A commonly accepted theory is that for a business to survive and prosper it must be flexible and nimble. It must be able to turn on a dime as conditio...(related: Small Business) |  |
| Getting A Small Business Loan
Are you in need of financial resources in order to start or even maintain your small business? Most of us are. The fist...(related: Small Business) | |
| Sba's 8(a) Program Can Help Some Companies Compete
Q: A friend told me that as a woman of Native American descent I might be eligible for a special SBA program that will help me start a small business. He said I could compete for government contracts through this program. Can you tell me what SBA program he's referring to?-- Clara P.A: Your friend is probably referring to the Small Business Administr...(related: Small Business) | |
| How To Get That Promotion
If you're looking for that promotion or pay rise then you'll need to be noticed by your employer, so here's a few tips to help you stand out from the crowd:Have a Friendly & Positive attitude towards Everyone you come into contactProvide Service and treat Everyone as your customerBe Professional at all timesAlways look for extra work, especially when others are ducking for cover to avoid itWatch what your colleagues are doing, copy from the ones who are receiving praise for their efforts but learn to do it better than them, while avoiding doing what your "lazier or negative" colleagues are doingBe a Thinker and offer suggestion on how to do things better and more efficientlyPlan and follow your planDon't Procrastinate, do what needs to be done NOW!!Think ahead,...(related: Small Business) | |
| What Is Appreciative Inquiry?
Appreciative Inquiry is the act of exploring and recognizingthe best in people and the world around us. The key to thisphilosphy to to seek and discover how to improve and work towardstransformation.Do you believe that despite the complaints and problemsencountered in your organization, there is nonethelesssignificant good work and results occurring? Do you want tofind a way to fan the flames of these positives so that theyengulf your entire organization? Let’s admit it – sometimes ourproblem-centered focus places too m...(related: Small Business) | |
| Business Goal Setting
How many times have your decided to set a goal for your businessand set it aside because the task seemed too huge or difficultto begin? I have seen this happen over and over so I decided towrite and article on business goal setting. When setting your business goals it is interesting to see thatthe thought process is no different than personal goal setting.You have to clearly define your goal and write it down. Here are7 steps that will help your busin...(related: Small Business) | |
| Why Is Small Business Health Insurance Worth It?
If you’re looking for a guide to how to get health insurance andwhat kind of health insurance is best for your small business,then this is the article for you. Your business qualifies forsmall business health insurance if you have anywhere between twoand fifty employees in it. If you are self employed then you’llwant to look into getting self employed health insurance.There are many benefits to getting small business healthinsurance. A small business health insurance plan will helpspread the financial risk around to everyone and not justyourself. As this is the case, this generally will bring lowerpremiums and more extensive coverage. Along with this, thehealth insurance provides medical care for you and all otheremployees as well.With a small bus...(related: Small Business) | |
| Small Business 101: Deadly Ignorance
Copyright 2005 Daniel SitterAmerican small business is again in transition. Many employees, now working from home, are no longer tied to a geographic office and the woes of commuting. This is a relatively new phenomenon with hints of explosive sector growth in the days ahead. As this turbulent economy has forced downsizing, offshore restructuring and closures in large companies, many new entrepreneurs have been born. These are people, who instead of tirelessly attempting to find new employment and possibly enduring the same fate as previously experienced, are now starting small businesses and enjoying the benefits and perils of self-employment. There's an old story telling of an Admiral's decision to fight a battle against overwhelming odds. It seems that he was approaching the coast of an enemy land, with a larger naval force ...(related: Small Business) | |
| Fire Your Customers
It’s time to thin the ranks and fire some customers. That’s right, can ‘em, send them packing and tell them their business isn’t welcome here anymore. Sound crazy? It’s crazy if you don’t!Why would anyone fire a customer? Simple. It’s costing you too much time and money to keep them around. This is obviously not an exercise where you send termination notices to valued clients. This is an exercise to get rid of the dead wood.As you scan your list, there will be a certain type of customer that deserves the ax. Here is the profile: They always quibble over price and once they’ve stripped your profit margin, will pay slow, real slow. This customer is never happy with your service no matter what you do. They can’t be pleased. This soon-to-be-ex client never refers any new business to you and try as you might you cannot es...(related: Small Business) | |
|
|