13 Things I’ve Learnt To Never Do in My Business
Some of them I learnt the hard way
Before the lockdown, I had a client who had just started a logistics business. They wanted a website for the business and also wanted to create social media pages and content for those pages.
I got a call from one of the partners and we agreed to meet somewhere. We spoke about the website, the process map, the bill and all that the work would entail.
After discussion, she tried to bring the bill very low, stating that it was a new business and she and her partner just wanted to test the waters. Also that her partner had already gotten someone who could do it at a cheaper amount.
Even though that was a sign that I should turn down the job and walk away, I ignored the sign and took it.
They paid 70% of the price and I started working immediately.
To cut the long story short, I managed to get their website up and running but didn’t work on their social media pages because I already told them the amount they paid wouldn’t cover for that, which they agreed.
After the website was done, the other partner came in and commended my work. He requested that I add some particular features to the website to make it ‘standard’ which I did.
He kept asking for more features, all the while not even thinking of the cost implications. I turned his requests down blatantly and he wasn’t so happy about it.
A few weeks later, he came with his partner to meet me at a designated spot and they wanted me to “please help” them work on their social media pages for free. I should also “please help” them create a blog and manage it every day, at least for now, till they were ready to pay.
One thing business has taught me is to never lose my temper on a client, no matter how annoying they may be. Instead, make them see things from your own perspective.
I then sat them down to explain all the work that needed to be done, what it would cost and why it would cost that amount. After I was done explaining, the partner who had reached out to me then said she understood and would put the cost in mind to work towards it.
The other partner didn’t feel so. He said it was “just” social media and a blog, “what could be so difficult about it that you wouldn’t do it for free”. He even asked that I helped them find someone “who is more experienced than I am, and could do it for free”.
Customers can frustrate you.
Few days before the lockdown, and many weeks after I’ve completed the website, I asked for my balance and also asked how far the business was going. His response was degrading, and he sent my balance to me along with more degrading responses.
The lockdown was a period of reflection for me, I looked at all the mistakes I had made and what it resulted in. I also read some business and personal development books to help boost my self-confidence.
Here Are Some Of The Things I’ve Learnt To Never Do In My Business
- I’ve learnt to never accept jobs which pay is way below my worth
- I’ve learnt to never take jobs that come from the place of ‘favour’ or “please help”
- I’ve learnt to never do partake in any project without signing a contract or an agreement
- I’ve learnt to always take stock of my life, my business processes and my products
- I’ve learnt that not every customer is right, some just need a polite “No”
- I’ve learnt that I may be a small business owner now, but I won’t always remain small
- I’ve learnt to separate myself from my business
- I’ve learnt that not all jobs are good for me and to always know what I want
- I’ve learnt to always maintain accurate records of my income and expenses and separate my finance from the business finance
- I’ve learnt to never ignore establishing guidelines and policies that will act as control mechanisms over people
- I’ve learnt to always be logical in making decisions and not be emotional
- I’ve learnt that I need to hire the services of those I call my ‘Heavy-weight’ team, like a lawyer, an auditor, an accountant, a tax specialist, etc.
- I’ve learnt to be confident about charging the prices that I’m worth
I’m still learning and I know that I may make some mistakes along the way, but they are all just lessons to learn from and become a better business owner.
I hope that you’ll learn from these lessons too so that you can build a world-class business.
