Gain Extra Hours: Fire Extraneous Customers
Learning how to chop 10 hours off a typical workweek without sacrificing income takes time, but it’s not as difficult as many believe. The first rule of any time management system is to make the most of the time you are allotted. This means your initial task is to eliminate unnecessary and redundant labour. Time is the one resource we can never get back, so preserving it is vital. As the saying goes, “The thief to be most wary of is the one who steals your time.”
This brings us to a rather controversial yet essential first step: eliminating customers who are a waste of time and energy. Think of them as shoplifters specialising in stealing your most valuable asset—time. The choice is clear: either transform them into paying customers who contribute to your bottom line or let them go.
While this approach may sound shocking to many entrepreneurs, it is a practical step in the growth process. Some clients simply aren’t worth the time and effort they demand. They may consistently delay payments, complain about trivial issues, or drain your team’s energy without offering anything valuable in return. Dealing with such clients costs precious hours and money while delivering no meaningful rewards.
A smart business policy is to “fire” these customers and redirect your focus to those who truly deserve your attention—loyal customers who respond with profitable transactions.
How to Eliminate Extraneous Customers
Firing unproductive clients doesn’t always mean directly severing relationships. Sometimes it involves:
- Removing dead-end leads from your client database.
- Redirecting select customers to businesses better suited to their needs and budgets.
- Re-examining your own offerings to eliminate the factors attracting unwanted clients.
For example, businesses often dilute their focus by offering too many discounts, freebies, or unrelated products. These “magnets” can attract the wrong type of customers—those who don’t value your core business or aren’t willing to pay fair prices. Instead, concentrate on services and products that generate real profits.
In some cases, spinning off underperforming product lines or services as independent ventures and selling them to other entrepreneurs can be a great move. Alternatively, you can upgrade your offerings to premium versions that attract higher-value clients and deliver stronger profit margins.
The Bottom Line
Profit is both the ultimate goal and the clearest indicator of business success. Strong, lean companies are not bogged down by inefficiencies. They are streamlined to achieve more with less time and effort, thriving in any economic climate.
By focusing on what truly matters—high-quality customers and profitable services—you’ll not only save time but also position your business for sustainable growth and success.
