How to Terminate My Client

If a client is tying your hands and taking up a lot of time, you may need to fire him.

Terminating a client relationship is never an easy thing to do. Sometimes you will need to end a client relationship because the client is taking too much time or has been overly rude to your staff and employees. Whatever the reason may be, ending a client relationship should be done in a certain way to ensure a clean break for both parties.

Instructions

1. List the reasons why you want to end the client relationship. This way you will have them in front of you when you call the client and you can refer to them if need be.

2. Plan out your script and stick to it. Make sure you know what you are going to say so you don't get off-track and dragged into something you didn't want to discuss.

3. Call your client or meet face-to-face. Begin the conversation by thanking her for her business and letting her know that your companies can no longer work together. Concisely give the reasons for separation. Be polite but firm.

4. Stay calm and professional throughout the discussion. Your client may get angry and try to drag up things from the past. Reiterate your reasons in a clear, concise manner. Make sure there is no question about the status of the relationship.

5. Suggest someone else your client might work with and make sure that there is enough time for him to get his work done with someone else. If his project is near completion, it will not be fair to terminate the relationship and send your client back to square one with limited time available.

6. Keep the conversation short and don't let it drag out. Thank your client for the experience, wish her well, and end the conversation.

Tips & Warnings

• The most important thing is to make sure this is a rare occurrence. When you do have to terminate a client relationship, make sure you do it with tact and professionalism. By sticking to both of those rules, you should be able to weather any fallout from the termination

• Don't roll in the mud with pigs. The client may start to get personal and nasty when the termination is happening. If this occurs, get out of the conversation as soon as possible and don't get caught up in a "he said - She said" argument.

References

• Men with Pens: 11 Tips on Ending a Client Relationship