Keep Talking

Most businesses have experienced tough times. Most business owners seem to have no trouble communicating news when times are good. Unfortunately, many business owners stop talking when times get tough. Yet I can think of no more important a time to communicate with employees, customers, suppliers, bankers, and others when things are bad.

I have a client who is owed thousands of dollars for work satisfactorily performed for a customer. The money has been past due for several months. My client wrote letters, called and left voice mail messages, and sent e-mails in an effort to collect. The customer did not respond to any communication, leaving my client both in the dark and with little recourse. The client finally had his attorney sue for the amount due. This did get the customer’s attention and he quickly e-mailed the client. In the e-mail he said that times are tough, he laid off his staff, and has been trying to collect money from his customers. He also said  “If there is any way we can resolve this outside of the legal system, I’d obviously prefer that”.

Had the customer had the courtesy of responding to an earlier correspondence and explaining why he was not paying, it might be that it could have been resolved outside of the legal system.

Keep talking no matter what the news is. Your constituents will all appreciate it if you do.

Will Limkemann
Limkemann Business Advisors
440-871-0976
www.neobizadvisor.com