As an entrepreneur, you are undoubtedly eager to expand your business; nevertheless, being too ambitious comes with a cost and could take a toll on your mental and physical health. There is nothing wrong with taking on new challenges and opportunities, but at some point, as your business matures, the ability to decline a few requests becomes imperative.
The reality is that you do not want to lose clients, and at the same time, you want to embark on projects that are relevant and can provide your business with a positive outcome. Nevertheless, give or take, some projects might just not align with your overall objectives or goals. In other cases, you may be impelled to decline a project because of a toxic client or because it may cause you to lose talent or money.
While disappointing clients isn’t something you want to do, there are a myriad of ways to tactfully decline a business project without damaging your reputation or completely closing the door to future opportunities. Let’s explore a few of them.
Address Resources
In some instances, you may need to explain to clients that you can’t take on a project because it could overburden the team. Have you ever wondered how you can do so tactfully? Instead of simply saying no, address the issues at stake. For example, you could tactfully explain to your client that you might need a longer timeframe to complete the project or that you might need to secure additional resources. In doing so, you still communicate to the client that you are interested in working with them, and at the same time, you show them that you are ready to honour your commitments.
Maintain Alignment with your Strategic Vision
In today’s competitive world, everybody is eager to take on a new project. Nevertheless, at some instances, you will come across projects that are profitable, but do not necessarily align with your strategy or vision. What are you going to do in this situation? You may be tempted to accept the project and benefit from the additional revenue, or decline it and keep your team focused on its long-term objectives. While the first option might be compelling and many might choose to go with it, diluting the focus of your team for a short-term win can sabotage your core values and objectives. If you choose to decline such a project, tactfully explain how it doesn’t fit the company’s core focus. In doing so, you shift the focus to the company’s strategy and make the rejection less personal.
Set Firm Boundaries
Maintaining a healthy working relationship with your clients is imperative for any entrepreneur. However, sometimes your clients might be tempted to ask you to do additional work or demand around-the-clock access to your team without discussing the associated costs. This could take a toll on you financially and also result in unnecessary stress and burnout for your team. When addressing such a situation; it’s best to clearly explain that you value your client and doing business with them, and that you would gladly accommodate their requests by making adjustments to the budget. The key in any business agreement is to outline and explain everything in the contract. If you have a well-documented agreement, the conversation becomes much easier.
Proactively say “No”
One of the most effective ways to say no is by setting clear expectations from the beginning. In this instance, you might not be compelled to say no in the first place. How can you do this? For example, if you have an official website, clearly outline the types of projects you can take on, your minimum fees, and what industries you work with. This transparency helps you attract the right clients and saves you from the hassle of declining requests, especially when they are not a good fit for you.
Give a Supportive “No”
Sometimes, a project may not be within your scope, but to maintain decorum and an open working relationship with your client, you may choose to offer a referral or an alternative working solution. In doing so, you still maintain a positive relationship with the client whilst leaving the door open for future collaborations.
Saying no to a client might not always be something you would want to do. Nevertheless, saying no is a strength, not a weakness, especially when a project doesn’t align with your core values or objectives. As a leader, you don’t always have to say yes to be liked; sometimes, a more thoughtful answer can lead to a more productive outcome.
David Messiha | Staff Writer
