Throughout the course of your professional life, there may have been more than a handful of people who were big burdensome loads. They demand more than what you can offer, ultimately leading to their dissatisfaction and the bogging down of your company’s progress.
You may have been taught that you have little to no choice in picking customers; however, if a customer is so difficult that he or she becomes the sole focus of your business, and that, in turn, your business suffers a major productivity slow-down, then maybe you should end your business relationship with him or her.
Challenging customers would always be there, whether you like it or not, so it’s best to keep in mind three things which could help in dealing with them.
The Customer Isn’t Always Right
Yes, the customer is fallible – most especially if he or she is eating up a lot of your time and resources for a cause which most probably isn’t going to benefit the business.
Set what is reasonable for your business and try to keep your customer within that reason. Explain to the customer their request and let them understand the reasons why you couldn’t comply with it.
Honesty is, after all, the best policy; and it’s better losing one customer instead of losing your entire business because of one customer who demanded things which were out of your reach.
Get Rid of Heavy Loads
You cannot just bend to your customer’s demands and give what they want to receive especially if your business would not have a long term benefit from them.
It’s hard to let go of one customer, especially since it’s still business, but think of the consequences if you let him or her stay with you. If a customer is practically asking for your entire business for his or her one project, then it’s best to axe him or her off.
You may be worrying that your business might be put in your client’s colleagues’ blacklist, but some people may even applaud you for your integrity to keep your business up and running.
Staff First
At times when customers are becoming abusive towards your staff, you should be quick to respond and defend them against the abusive client. It’s all about reciprocation – if you want your staff to be nice to your clients, be nice to them first.