THE PLAY OF THE WEEK
Stop Saying Yes to Bad Business Partners
I have a simple rule before working with anyone.
Can we enjoy a coffee or a beer together?
That is it.
Not their revenue. Not their track record. Not how long they have been in business. If we cannot sit across from each other for 30 minutes and genuinely enjoy the conversation it is going to be a no.
Not because I am being difficult. Because every yes to the wrong person is a no to the right one.
I learned this the hard way early in my career. I said yes to clients I knew were not a great fit because I needed the revenue. And every single time it cost me more than the money was worth. In stress. In time. In the energy it took away from the people I actually loved working with.
Get clear on who you are for and who you are not for. That is not arrogance. That is a gift to both parties.
The right clients are out there. Stop filling your calendar with the wrong ones.
GET ON THE ICE
- Write down your ideal client — who energizes you, pays on time, and values your work
- Write down your nightmare client — be honest, you already know who they are
- Look at your current client list and ask — if I could only keep half of these, who stays?
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Getting clear on who are the ‘right fit’ customers for your business, and who isn’t a right fit, makes decisions so much easier and provides clarity for your team and prospective clients. There is a cost to saying yes to the wrong opportunities.”
― Shawn Shepheard