Firing clients may have the short term draw back of lowering the bottom line, but could pay off huge in future dividends.

If you think you may have to fire a client keep in mind the words of Maya Angelou who said

When someone shows you who they are…believe them….the first time.

Although this advice is most often applied to personal relationships between individuals there is something here for businesses and entrepreneurs to learn as well.

We can easily substitute the word ‘someone’ for the phrase ‘a client or a customer’.  Some clients are simply not worth the trouble and they need to be fired.

Here are 6 reasons you might want to consider firing clients.

1. They are not profitable.
2. They are profitable but are to much of a drain on your resources, and it causes you to produce sub par work.
3. No matter what you do they’re never happy.
4. There’s undue stress in the relationship.
5. You have a moral issue with the clients line of business (think Phillip Morris).
6. The client constantly price shops you or wants for free things you did not contract to perform.

Firing clients is a decision you should not take lightly.  However, you may find yourself in a situation where you seriously have to consider it.  When the time comes remember Maya’s words….and don’t expect your client to change.  Look them square in the eye and give them a Donald Trump…“You’re Fired!”