Business Owners You Need to Establish Boundaries
A business owner who does not establish boundaries with clients is essentially a convenience store that is open 24/7. Does your phone ring on holidays, weekends, or after hours? Do your clients purchase a small package or service but demand the items included in the pricier package? Business owners must learn to establish boundaries.
Below are five benefits for establishing boundaries.
Five Benefits of Establishing Boundaries
1. No Miscommunication – the first time you let the offender get their way by demanding services they did not pay for they will think it is ok. Stop it.
2. No loss of sleep – when you get interrupted during nap time or bedtime you lose sleep which reduces your creativity and productivity.
3. Less stress – boundary violators cause you unneeded stress due to being angry at being taken advantage of.
4. No loss of income – do not give away a product or service for free. Also, review number two above. When your creativity or productivity is interrupted you are losing money.
5. You are treated with respect.
Now, I know it is easier said than done. But you must make it a habit to establish boundaries early on in the business relationship.
Establish Boundaries
1. Post office hours on your door, on your sales literature, and in your contracts.
2. Do not answer the phone or return an email that is not an emergency except during normal business hours.
3. Firmly but politely verbally communicate to the offender that he or she has crossed the boundary. Be prepared with a script that you have practiced or can email that lets the person know what product or service they purchased and that they must pay extra for the added services they are requesting. Do not give your product or services away for free.
Sometimes it is hard for our clients and customers to realize they are not our only client or customer. When you establish boundaries with your clients and customers everyone will understand the rules of the game. Remember, your time is money. Business owners think billable hours. Your afterhour’s time is your afterhour’s time. Unless you advertise that you are on call 24/7 you should not be nor do you have to be. Do not get in the habit of being available 24/7. You need time to unwind and recharge your batteries so that you can start the next day offering great products and customer service. Business owners you must establish boundaries with clients so that you can grow your business.
Jaynine Howard is a retired United States Marine and former psychotherapist. She is the owner of Dream Catcher Business & Life Coaching. Founded in 2006, Dream Catcher Business & Life Coaching helps business owners, nonprofits, and individuals nationally and internationally turn their dreams into wealth and success. Coach Jaynine and her team of associate coaches will help you jump start your business and life through business, career, and life coaching. Jaynine is a member of the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, the Carteret Chamber of Commerce, the American Psychological Association, 24/7 Coaching, and Coachville. You can download your free ecourse My 5 Secrets to Networking http://networkingdetox.com/.