“You’re fired!” Should you get rid of troublesome clients?

Posted by Jeremy L. Knauff

Last fall, many companies were busy handing out discounts to land new clients or keep existing ones on board, but now the tides have shifted.

Facing growing economic challenges, more companies are dropping nonpaying, late-paying and overly-demanding clients who drain resources that would be better utilized serving more loyal or profitable clients.

Is this the right choice for you? It may seem counter-productive, especially when every dollar counts, but when you get rid of clients who aren’t profitable, it frees you up to work with or find clients who are.

2 Comments »

2 Responses to ““You’re fired!” Should you get rid of troublesome clients?”

1. Ryan
   December 8th, 2009 at 10:45 am

   Ya most definitely, personally I left the realm of client work for the above reason. I fired them all. I found that 9/10 clients I encountered were demanding yet oblivious and only slow when it came time to pay. It always drove me nuts that if there was a change to be made it had to be done in 2 hours but they can take 6 months to pay the bill.

   I wonder how many solid designers and developers have left the industry, not because they dislike the work but because they can’t deal with irrational and obtuse clients.

2. Orville
   December 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm

   This is a very interesting point, especially when you take into consideration the current state of our economy.

   I believe in order to maximize our return on time invested, we must all entertain this type of decision. I personally believe that quality is way better than quantity.