...Is it OK to Fire a Client?

I work with a small business owner who has clients that she works with one on one.   She has a client right now who calls her all the time day and night with questions and concerns.  She will call and leave messages saying if she doesn’t get a return call she will keep calling.  I asked the small business owner if she was charging this person for all the time she spent on the phone with her and she said no. I told her that she should inform the person that if she continues to call on a regular basis taking up a lot of time that there will be a charge and she should charge her a minimum of fifteen minute increments. 

The hope is that she will realize how much money she will be spending (which is why she calls the small business owner all the time worried over money) she will reduce the amount of calls.  The small business owner is unsure if this will work and she is growing very upset with her client and wants to fire her.

Have you ever fired a client before?  Have you had a client that does not make it worth the energy you spend on them? Are they costing you extra money in things that they want you to do or additional time you should charge for?  Think about the clients you have and if you would ever fire any of them from your services.  I think sometimes firing that difficult or costly client is just what you need to do.  In the long run it may save you not only money but peace of mind.   

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Suzanne Cormier

Executive Director

BizWorks (Small Business Incubator)

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