Is it easy for you to say ‘no’ to requests?

Are you thinking that you don’t have an option?

Every person who owns a business has an option about what they are going to do and who they are going to work with. Let me give you an example; let’s say a very miserable person comes into your store. Do you want to have them as a client? Of course not! So you do have options.

So how do you say ‘no’ respectfully? I believe the best way is to be politely blunt. That is to say; ‘Mr. Prospect I don’t believe that we have the right connection to work together on a long-term basis. Due to this I would suggest you look to some of my competitors for your needs.’

Not only will you have helped them, but you will have taken a great weight off your shoulders of having a client that you don’t feel comfortable with.

Doesn’t this make sense?

What is the difference between your business and the fire department?

I hope nothing, but I could be wrong.

The fire department gets the little things done in spite of all of their interruptions. When that alarm rings they have to get moving. Is your business constantly putting out the fires of unexpected circumstances?  If you answered ‘yes’, my next question is; why is it that you have so much trouble?

I believe there is one reason that differentiates your business from your local fire department. They (the fire department) are organized. They have developed procedures for all aspects of their operations.

The lesson for you is that you need to build your business around procedures and plans. I say that because it is the only thing that will bring sanity to your business.

Can you see how it makes sense to be proactive by putting together procedures to deal with any unexpected circumstances?

Wouldn’t your business look and act more professional?