tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311182517542039829.post8147911803208223377..comments2023-05-30T04:39:28.410-07:00Comments on Justuff: Never lose a client to politics or religion. (unless you want to)...Jim Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15993999268801563294noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311182517542039829.post-70097971873762704922011-08-17T14:44:34.178-07:002011-08-17T14:44:34.178-07:00Aliy,
Right! So in that case you aren't losi...Aliy,<br /><br />Right! So in that case you aren't losing a client, you're choosing not to serve them. That's a big difference and one wholly espouse. That's the "we reserve the right to refuse service..." perspective and I think having those boundaries is key to successful businesses.<br /><br />My post was more for people who just post random stuff and then wonder why people email them and want to back out of contracts, etc., because of something that was said. (actually the direct scenario that prompted the original post). <br /><br />Great comment!Jim Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15993999268801563294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311182517542039829.post-47459025307272897422011-08-17T14:33:38.741-07:002011-08-17T14:33:38.741-07:00Hey Jim,
Great post. I agree, but I agree more w...Hey Jim,<br /><br />Great post. I agree, but I agree more with your caveat "unless you want to"<br /><br />There is work I won't do for political and religious reasons. But In my case I'm not out to prove a rightness. I know that my personal convictions would get in the way and affect my work. I don't want anyone's memories to suffer because of how i feel or what I believe, so I have turned down work in the past for those reasons. I would wager politics and religion are two very good reasons to turn a client away. (to me "lose a client" implies they are disgruntled and I would hope my approach leaves them appreciating that I know my own limitations and care more that they are satisfied than my bottom line)Aliyhttp://allisonmayer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311182517542039829.post-6381868927251575172011-08-17T13:09:39.931-07:002011-08-17T13:09:39.931-07:00Hey Ron. You're on Hiatus. I agree with what...Hey Ron. You're on Hiatus. I agree with what you're saying. Note that my comments above don't say, "don't say anything about your faith or politics." They say, don't lose clients due to your faith or politics. At least, not if you don't intend to. I'm not advocating covering anything up. I'm saying don't be unintentionally abrasive.<br /><br />We both know well the fact that our clients are likely to find us just about anywhere. So having a twitter account that we think clients won't find (or a Facebook page) or whatever, is folly. Think about the impact on your clients of what you're feeling a need to say. If you decide you want to say it anyway, more power too you. But don't say something and then find yourself surprised that your clients are leaving because they don't agree...<br /><br />JCJim Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15993999268801563294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311182517542039829.post-86789571716627702552011-08-17T10:47:18.728-07:002011-08-17T10:47:18.728-07:00Jim! Just when I think I'm out (i.e. on a soci...Jim! Just when I think I'm out (i.e. on a social media break) THEY DRAG ME BACK IN. :)<br /><br />Great topic. Because of my social media hiatus, I did not see the aforementioned debate on Twitter. I'll be sure to look for it.) But, fwiw, I'll add my 2 cents.<br /><br />I guess it all comes down to HOW a person shares their morals and belief systems within the context of their business. Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby, and B&H are excellent examples of very successful companies which are very public about their respective belief systems. So much so that each is closed on their respective religious "sabbath" days (you can't even order online from B&H on the Jewish sabbath). All that to say it IS possible to have your belief system public and do exceedingly well.<br /><br />Now, if you laud your belief system over your prospect like a Pharisee or something. Or if you use your business as a pulpit to "evangelize" and "win souls," I could see that not being a very effective way to do either - i.e. clients or souls. :)<br /><br />But, if you just happen to mention (either on your about page or in blog posts) that you are of a particular faith/political viewpoint, but are graceful and tolerant when dealing with prospects, I see no reason why you can't be as successful as the aforementioned businesses. In other words, you don't have to lose clients over it.<br /><br />I have a number of non-profit clients who CEOs have political, religious and/or lifestyle choices that I know are diametrically opposed to my personal faith. And they know what my faith is. Yet, they've been great clients for years and I also consider them friends. It can be done.<br /><br />In the end, I'm a prov. 3:5-6 kind of guy. :) I have no qualms acknowledging my faith. But I believe if you actually relate to people the way the central figure of my faith related to people, regardless of their view points, you'll do wonderfully.Ron Dawsonhttp://bladeronner.comnoreply@blogger.com