star123

How do you deal with demanding clients or partners who seem to think they're the only ones you're in business for? We have this one partner who constantly calls us for every little thing rather than let us get on with the work.

mahway

Tell them that you cant continue to support the high volume of inquiries they've recently been requesting. Offer them an additional support plan for $X an hour for X hours as a package to make some extra money out of them and make it worth your while.

Feel free to PM me if you need further assistance.

NetBie

I would rather suggest a mild approach to be taken at the initial stage. Increase your response time. Take more time to respond, this should give the person a correct signal, if this does not work then you have to suggest the client a package for support.

GlobalWebDan

If it's a client, I generally drop them. It's not worth my time to constantly bargain with them.

As for a partner, are you talking a legal partnership (in terms of business entity), or are you referring to a company that helps you provide your services?

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kelkat

I find that no matter what your business is, you find people that are like this. If you can get passed them, then it's no big deal. If it's something you are in a long term relationship with then you do need to set some boundaries.

I'm glad you posted this. It makes me more aware of how I contact others that I'm in business with. Sometimes I just don't think that I'm taking time away from them doing what they need to do.

kconnections

I agree that we all run into clients like these at times regardless of the business we are in. Sometimes you have to nicely explain to a client the problem and if they take their business elsewhere it is not always a bad thing.

kelkat

I thinks that's probably the best suggestion I've heard kconnections. If you are polite and relaxed about it, it might turn out that they didn't realize what they were doing was hurting you. That's what would happen in the "ideal world."

MrD

Make an FAQ with every aspect answered whnever they bother you refer them to the FAQ

kconnections

I know a guy who has a lot of legal information on his website. I think he might have too much actually but he has about everything covered. And of course, everyone has to sign a contract. I try not to be that extreme but maybe for some it works.

sigs

i have a partner who treats his clients as king. so he deals with them very politely and i am amazed that it works out wonderfully. he will explain to them that its not good contacting them on small small issues and the clients actually understand. great communication skills