I’ve just had an an email question from one of my readers of the SitePoint Tribune.
The question was in regard to dealing with people you don’t want as customers:
“So, how do you tell the prospect to go jump in a lake … tactfully, of course? :)”
My Email Response
Hello Alicia
Thanks for your email and question. I appreciate them both!
Unfortunately, at this time, due to a tremendous amount of emails I’ll be unable to provide you with an answer or a solution to your question within an appropriate timeframe.
As you know, we’re committed to providing absolute top quality service – and I appreciate you recognising this through your enquiry.
We would not wish to compromise your business by providing anything other than our best, so reluctantly we’ll have to pass on providing assistance at this time.
There is really no one I know who we can refer you to answer your question.
Thanks again Alicia and all the best for the future.
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How’s The Above For “Go jump in the lake”?!
I tried to get in there that we’re very busy because we’re so good, that you made the right decision to contact us because you recognise great quality and that no-one else is as good as us.
Then I’ve said “Go away” right at the end quite nicely.
Regards
Brendon Sinclair
brendon@tailored.com.au
www.tailored.com.au
Ph: 07 5598 4898
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You Don’t Want All Clients
Regardless of what business you are in, you don’t want all clients.
One of the keys for success is eliminating the ‘bad’ clients.
- Do you identify your best clients?
- The most profitable ones?
- The unprofitable ones?
Cheers
I’ve a slightly different slant on the “qualifying opportunities” issue:
How do you tell a current client “You’re wasting your money!”?
A client has asked me to redesign parts of his site to add some features that I know will never be used.
I tried to tell him he’s wasting his money, but he insists that I do the work.
OK, so he’s paying me. But I feel I’d be doing him a better service if I refused to do the work!
Should I take the money and run or stand by my gut feelings and principles? Answers on a postcard to… !
Good question Seamus.
We’ve struggled with this one on many occasions – with clients coming to us with ideas for web businesses to implement.
One always springs to mind – a crazy, ridiculous idea for a web business that still makes me chuckle thinking about some 4 or so years later.
After much thought we proceeded with implementing the web site as best we could for the client.
And we always will without a moment’s hesitation.
Because what if our client is the most brilliant mind, what if he’s a genius? Maybe I’m the one that is wrong and his idea will be a huge success.
If that’s what the client wants, that what they get.
If they ask our advice, then we’ll give it of course. But often the client simply wants implementation.
Cheers
Brendon