Consultants and other independent contractors often complain about not having enough time to focus on their clients. If asked to specify what factors most prevent them from doing their job, they usually mention time-consuming administrative tasks and the time wasted on unnecessary meetings. However, they often forget about a more fundamental cause of stress and valuable time wasted - problematic clients.
It is not easy to admit that some clients are simply not worth your time and effort. Young entrepreneurs who are just starting out especially have the tendency to accept every contract and retain their clients at any cost. Over time, however, they find out that they should have said goodbye to some of them long ago. If you want to get more lucrative clients and more strategic work, there is no other way. Instructions on how to recognize when it is high time to end an onerous business partnership were published on the Harvard Business Review website.
You are not doing the work you want to do
It is common to accept contracts even in peripheral areas of your business in the beginning. Over time, however, you realize what you do best and what you want to focus on. Once the contracts start coming in from this area, it is the right time to limit the amount of work you do on these other jobs and do more of what you enjoy.
A client who does not respect you
Some clients are not very results-oriented. Instead, they insist on you wasting your time by spending long hours at their companies, at meetings and at personal appointments only for you to listen to their complaints over and over again. If a client does not respect your time and your recommendations, further cooperation becomes meaningless.
A client who doesn't want to give you a raise
As your practice grows and you gain more experience, your prize grows too. However, clients are not usually willing to pay more money for the services of someone they have been used to paying less for a long time. Then it is up to you to find clients who will pay what you deserve.
A client who is always dissatisfied
If any of your clients start making more demands than usual, you should talk to him. His requirements may be justified. Equally, you may find that his demands are completely unrealistic and can't be met. Then it makes no sense to continue trying to work together.
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