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Is there some business you don’t want?

Written by: Jane Francis

Article Overview: To do well in business you need to discern which customers you want from those you don’t. There will always be some customers you can’t afford to do business with, and here are twelve things to watch out for.

Is there some business you don’t want?

You are better off with no business at all than business that will bring you down.

To do well in business you need to discern which customers you want from those you don’t. There will always be some customers you simply can’t afford to do business with, and here are twelve things to watch out for:

1) The client or the job is too big for you – you don’t have the resources;
2) you’ll lose other customers that are important to you;
3) you’ll become too specialized;
4) they drive too hard a bargain;
5) they’ll be too time consuming;
6) their dodgy reputation will taint your good name;
7) you’ll generate bad press from the deal;
8) they will bully you;
9) you suspect they’re working for your opposition (or they will become your competition);
10) what they want is unreasonable or unachievable;
11) the risk of failure is too high;
12) they simply don’t have the money and can’t afford you.

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Re: help wanted in u.k. - Hi Brendan, Please dont apologize for feeling like you dont know or understand enough business. At least you know you have some things to learn and are willing to do that. One of the best things you can do write now is start studying business plans and learning about market research. You can find some amazing resources online and at the library. Before you spend the money on a patent you can be gathering crucial data and testing the viability of the product. One of my favourite resources is a book called "The Art of the Start". Guy K. (I dont know how to spell his last name). You can also visit a local enterprise centre/business centre. I'm sure you have one close by. They can help you on a personal level to know what steps to take to start. good luck. We are here - we just need to know how to best help. Thanks for writing back!
Re: Does a New Company need a "Big" PR firm? - I agree with SHri, it really depends on the target audience and how much service you really need. if you are doing National campaign than you want a firm that has the National contacts. Lots of smaller companies dont have as many resources or connections. Many firms are going to a pay for performance model which I think will do the PR and advertising industry good. no more $5000 retainers for sending out a couple of press releases - no matter how well written or targeted! if they dont get picked up, they dont get paid. J
Re: Who did your logo design? - There are indeed a ton of those logo sights where you can get cheap work done. I have an inhouse design studio called Ripple, where we offer start up packages for business for $500. I think a lot of new entrepreneurs dont realize the impact that their logo does have on their branding and positioning. We take people through a complete creative process which I know they value. By using the $25 sites etc. you really have no claim on them if they do infringe on someone else idea.. But hey...to each his own.. I like to think that you get what you pay for - and while I dont think you need to spend thousands...you should research and really understand what you are getting into. Your logo needs to be something you can use for 5-10 years at least.....so it has to include your big vision..
answer this question - I dont know if this is posted in the right area, or if its been asked heaps of times already. Tell us something BAD you have done in your business that could have potentially(or has) destroyed/ended your business, or that has effected your business in a BIG way. OR, is there something GOOD you have done in your business that has really benefited you in a BIG way.
Re: When to give away your product or service for free - Hi David. I have a new product on the market, as I have earlier posted in the sales & marketing forums (called "a new product"), anyway I have been doing some door to door knocking and it seems because my art prints take up so much wall space, it is quite a risk for them to just go ahead, into business with me. So today I started saying to them "ok, why dont I just leave a couple of artworks here for a fortnight & if you get lots of customer interest then we can discuss business further, but if not, then I will simply take them back & you won't here from me again" This new tactic really seems to be working. Instead of saying "well...... Im really not sure if I have the wallspace...." they have started saying "oh... ok.... that sounds like a good idea.... yes, why dont we do that". I am dam sure my products will attract lots of interest, so a foot in the door is all I need. So thanks for the post. Dale Gallagher, New Zealand Artist


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