We recently went through the experience of having to accept that some clients just aren’t a good fit with our company. In this economy, this was a very hard realization to make. As a company we stuck by our principles as a business and made the right choice.
When developing our new brand we thought long and hard about the type of clients we would like to work side-by-side with and we made a list of the 11 qualities our clients should possess. If you haven’t seen the list please stop and read it.
So . . . we were approached with a potential web project and thought we understood what the client wanted. After quite a few attempts at trying to get it right we realized that this client just wasn’t a fit for Brand Eleven Eleven. Their vision did not meet what we look for in a web project. In fact, it went against our goals that we have for every site we create. We strive for each site to be better than the last by measurable marks, we strive for optimal usability, we strive for a good SEO (search engine optimization) foundation that will help the site be successful. After explaining the downside and why we were developing the site the way we were, we faced strong resistance and lack of trust from our client. It became very clear that what they wanted us to create was going to hinder the usability and the SEO we couldn’t continue the project to that standard.
Now some of you may be asking why not just give them what they want? The client is always right. But if that client comes back to us in 6 months and is unhappy with the results of their new website, we are the ones that have to be accountable. By allowing them to make poor choices, in the end, it would effect our reputation as a company.
So, what we learned is . . . it IS ok!
It IS ok for a client to not be a good fit.
It IS ok to pass on a client that does not meet your standards.
And it IS ok to help them find someone that will meet their needs.
Stand by your standards as a business and you will always be in line with your mission and vision as a company.
Rob Brady says
I like it, I like it a lot. I’ve often said the most difficult thing a business leader must do is say “no” to a new opportunity. I suggest you try not to say “no” too often, but trust your gut. Getting rid of a bad fit opens up time to engage more of the right type of clients. Making that a habit creates a portfolio of clients that energize your brand, motivate your design team and allows a studio to want to grow upward and onward.