Comments on: Fire someone

By: Catherine Caine

Catherine Caine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:33:06 +0000

Does it translate into more sales, productivity, better morale?

Oh, do all the people who leave (or are left) end up at the same company?

By: Lou

Lou — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:47:12 +0000

I've done this several times and it has always worked out well. It may not be very “zen-like” or even a bit Machavellian. but to fire these types so that my competition has to contend with them is a great relief. Let your competitors have them and the problems that they create…..and yes tastefully. In Asian and other cultures if the person does not wish to participate with you then there is silence, no contact, no messages, no calls. It works!

By: bornfamous

bornfamous — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:25:36 +0000

Heh, thanks but I feel a little sad because I sort of lost an acquaintance in the process. She was the one who hired me and was embarrassed by the organization's behavior [as well as her own, I think.] Now she doesn't call me any more. Probably thinks I'm mad at her. But I'll call her pretty soon and see if we can get over it.

By: Catherine Caine

Catherine Caine — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:18:43 +0000

Flawless victory!

By: bornfamous

bornfamous — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:08:24 +0000

Oh, it was very calm. I wrote an email reiterating the original terms of our agreement and reminding them that I had already gone above and beyond the call of duty. Long story. They were clearly embarrassed and finally paid the overdue balance, then got another web person to take over their site.

By: Catherine Caine

Catherine Caine — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:45:44 +0000

Yes! Get that client out of your hair…

How was the 'releasing' experience? Calm, tense, shouty?

By: bornfamous

bornfamous — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:11:35 +0000

I 'released' a difficult client a few weeks ago, and it's a big relief – though I'm still getting disentangled. I was hosting several sites for them, and they still haven't moved two of them. Need to send another reminder!

By: Iain Gray

Iain Gray — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:40:43 +0000

In my experience, it works out well. Most people appreciate it when you're upfront with them.

The key is being tactful about it. It's only confrontational if you make out that it's their fault. It's usually not – your approach is that the problem lies with the relationship, and not them as an individual. You also need to give them the opportunity to air any grievances they may have too.

By: Catherine Caine

Catherine Caine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:13:09 +0000

The “Can we fix it?” idea sounds great… but confrontational! How have they worked out, in your experience?

Also, yes. Screw the cheapskates. If you value anything other than profit, they're not your Right People.

By: Pamela Wilson

Pamela Wilson — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:05:59 +0000

Well, let's see... since I "released" them, I've acquired eight new clients, and had inquiries from many others. So I'd say it's worked out pretty well!

You're right, there are no guarantees, of course. But with a clear head, and more energy, you're bound to be able to grow your business to recover from the financial hit you take.

And Iain, I agree: it's not to be done lightly. I always try to make the relationship work (sometimes for way too long) before I consider this step.