4 reasons to fire a client and how to do it professionally

Have you met an Ohio client?

Not a client who came from Ohio, but one who IS an Ohio.

Confused? It’s a social media trend. Let me explain.

The famous Ohio VS the world meme from Tumblr is where TikTok’s Ohio trend came from. This meme basically says that nothing can go right in this State.

This trend has recently been making a comeback. Recently, a user posted a series of short clips that depicted a bear falling, a man fighting an invisible opponent, and other scenes.

If you’ve encountered a client who is always finding fault and complaining, that is an example of an Ohio client. Dealing with them can be exhausting, as they often start a new argument every day. Feedback that should be objective has become a form of gaslighting.

Yes, you have acknowledged and taken responsibility for your mistakes, but they keep bringing up the same issues when you make new ones. They are appeased for a while, only to be angry about something else the next day. Is it time to part ways?

To fire or not to fire your client

Whether or not to fire a client is a complex decision that depends on many factors, such as the nature of the relationship, the severity of the problem, and the impact on your business. 

It is important to consider the following before making the decision to fire a client:

1. The client is consistently unresponsive or difficult to work with. If this is their work attitude, it can negatively impact your business and cause delays.
2. The client is not paying. If a client is consistently late in settling their bills or is not paying at all, this can cause financial strain on your business.
3. The client is not a good fit for your business. If their values, goals, or business practices do not align with yours, it can be difficult to provide the level of service they need and can also damage your company’s reputation.
4. The client is causing harm. If a client’s behaviour is causing mental anguish to your other clients or to your employees, it may be necessary to terminate the relationship.

Ready, aim…

Firing a client can be a difficult decision, but it is sometimes necessary for the well-being of the business and its employees. Here are some steps to help you handle the situation in a professional manner:

Step 1

Assess the situation: Figure out why you want to end the client relationship and make sure it is the right choice for your business. Collect information and look into the case carefully. There’s always something to learn from it.

Step 2

Schedule a time to talk with the client and explain why the relationship is ending in a calm, polite, and respectful way.

Step 3

If you can, give the client other options or point them to someone else who can assist them with what they need.

There’s a joke that goes like this: “If you don’t like the client, tell them to go to your competitor”. It works both ways: they will understand what makes you special and will realize your service is better if they go to someone else. 

Be careful not to have it backfire, though.

Step 4

Set a clear timeline for ending the relationship and discuss any necessary details such as final payments or returning any assets.

Step 5

After the meeting, follow up with a written communication to confirm the details of the decision. Throughout the process, it’s important to maintain professionalism and avoid any negative or confrontational behaviour.

Don’t fire when emotions are high

It’s important to think about whether there is a way to fix the problems before firing the client. Have you talked with them and tried to find a solution? 

Could there be a way to make the relationship better? It’s always better to try to solve the issues before taking big steps.

It’s important to remember that firing a client can be bad for you. It could hurt your reputation, make you lose money, and get you a bad review. So, think carefully about the good and the bad before you fire a client.