Wednesday, August 27  

Jerk Off

This is my best bit of advice this year.

Get rid of any client who is a jerk. Sure, it sounds harsh. But do it anyway.

We don't have any clients who are jerks anymore (and yes, I'm sure we've been jerks to some of our clients in the past).

here's what happens:

• You work hard to build your business
• You struggle along
• You need cashflow
• You take on every client you can get
• Some clients are jerks and, without you really seeing it, they suck the energy, vitality and profit from your business
• You're so busy dealing with these bad clients that you ignore your great ones

Good & Decent People Make Good & Decent Clients

1. A client we've done just a little work for booked a table for $1,000 at my son Jack's charity dinner to celebrate his across Australia bike ride (I hope organising a celebration dinner before you tackle one of the toughest physical challenges in the country doesn't put the mockers on you!)

2. I called another client after we managed to wipe all of his files and email correspondence to ask if he had any idea how much iIwas meant to invoice him. I had an idea it was $500.

2 hours later he'd searched his files and sent them through - he owes $1,500. No complaints, no problems, no hassle.

3. Pete is another client who we've done just a bit of work for over the years - he rang me up today and donated a $350 bit of equipment to help out the ride because he thought we could benefit from it.

4. Another mate called Pete (must be in the name), who hasn't been a client for 4 years, yesterday gave me 3 nights accommodation at his luxury resort for a guy coming up as our guest to the charity dinner. I didn't even ask - he just offered.

• These are the sort of clients you want.
• These are the guys and gals who will truly help your business succeed.
• These are the people you want to do business with.

Business is bloody tough and you often need every last cent to survive. If you can very slowly move away from needing every client to being just a bit choosy who you work with, then your business will be better, bigger and happier.

Cheers

Brendon

P.S: Jack and I have made a rule for after we finish off the across Australia bike ride. We're not allowed to say to anyone "We rode across Australia on bikes."

It's our No Jerk rule.

A friend has argued that's not fair because Jack will want to impress girls and should be allowed to bring out the big guns to increase his chances of getting a smooch!

Fair enough I guess. But then I figured he could just do what I did to get girlfriends when I was his age...........beg. ;o)