How to End a Business Relationship With Your Customer

Business relationships are not the same as social ones.

Never end a business relationship without great consideration and thought for the consequences. Regardless of whether the relationship is with a client, customer or business partner, seek resolution and discuss the issues with the other party prior to ending a relationship. Many businesses rely on word of mouth and sound reputation to succeed, so ending a relationship could affect that. However, you may decide that maintaining the relationship will negatively affect the success of the business in the long term.

Instructions

1. Take a time-out. Give yourself some time to think through your reasons. Evaluate whether the relationship is affected by short-term problems and whether these issues may subside with time.

2. Evaluate the reason for ending the relationship. Disliking the customer's opinion or personality is not a rational or smart reason for ending a relationship. Many businesses thrive on word of mouth and referral. Always set aside your personal opinions of a customer. However, if the customer is always late with payments or refuses to pay for services rendered, sustaining the relationship may hurt your business in the long term. Make sure your reasons for ending the relationship relate to the success of your business and not due to personal feelings or opinions. However, sometimes it is better not to associate with individuals who harbor racist or discriminatory opinions.

3. Set a neutral time and place to discuss your business relationship with the other person or group. Let the other party know that you want to sit down and rationally discuss your problems in search of a solution. Only end a business relationship as a last resort. In many cases, a lack of communication stands between two business parties. Sometimes, both parties need to voice their opinions. If there is no solution or if the damage to the relationship is irreparable, at least you've tried. If the other party is a client or customer, you owe it to your business to try to make the relationship work.

4. Discuss your reasons for ending the relationship with the client, customer or partner. Suggest ways to amicably part. For example, if you're ending a business relationship with a partner who owns a part of the business, offer to buy out his portion of the business. If you're ending a relationship with a client, suggest or refer him to another business better suited to his needs. Make clear your reasons for ending the relationship, but be professional and civil with the client or partner. If your business partner or client crossed the line, explain this to him, but retain your calmness. The aim is to carry on a productive conversation.

References

• Evan Carmichael: Ready Aim Fire: How to Professionally End Your Working Relationship With a Client
• SageSpark: Letting Go: 5 Reasons to End a Relationship With a Customer
• 247advisor.com: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do