When a Business Relationship Disappoints

It is bound to happen.  In fact most of us have probably already been let down several times by people we trusted.  Sometimes its someone going out of business that you have been counting on, sometimes you got overlooked, sometimes its just someone taking advantage of you.

How do you handle that when that happens?

Justin made me think about it with a comment he left about drop shippers, and he actually modeled what I would like to say.

Don’t get mad

No one likes an angry person.  I have seen far too many posts on blogs and forums where people are just spewing filth because they are mad at some person or company for something they did to them.  This is no way to handle it.  Sure it stinks, and yes, it might really affect your business, but anger won’t solve the problem.  In fact anger (if you air it) is more likely to cost you even more business.

Take it in stride

This will happen.  The successful entreprenuer knows that let downs are a part of life, let alone humanity.  As I mentioned before, humans will let you down.  If you plan on interacting with the species, you might as well be prepared for that enventuality.

Develop a sense of Humor

Justin said “That was very stressful and not fun at all.” This made me sympathize (I have been there too) and it made me chuckle a bit.  Sorry Justin, no offense.  But you know that must have really been miserable.  Undoubtedly it cost him money, but now he is able to “grin and bear it.”  This will make people see him as a person who can take a major blow to his business and learn from it, but not be bitter about it.

Find a Replacement

What did you learn?  What was it about the person or company that you should have seen from the start.  Did you maybe overlook something you should have paid more attention to?  Count it as a lesson learned and find another supplier or associate who can meet your need.  This time look for the warning signs you missed the first time around.

And in Conclusion

Always remember that everyone will at some point let you down.  Forgiveness is a much better path than bitterness.  You may want to dissolve the business relationship for your own best interests, but that doesn’t mean you should make it a personal cause to destroy that person’s life and future.  It’s best to just let some things go.  After all, don’t you have a business to run?

More on this topic

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• Why knowing your Meyers-Briggs is Essential for a Small Business Owner
• If You want to be rich – Drop out of School
• A Better Blog in 31 Days

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