There are seven things you should anticipate happening at some point in your business; however, no one warns you about them when you first get started.
If you have been in business for a some time, you likely experienced a few of these things already. And, if you just opened your business, you might not even realize they are bound to happen.
Sadly, you will experience a variety of challenges when you own a business, and some of those challenges will be easier to overcome than others. So read on for things to expect and some suggestions on how to deal with them:
1. Payment Defaults
Some clients won’t pay for the services/products they receive, although they promised to do so. They did agree to your terms; however, you will find yourself chasing them down for payment. Lesson learned: Collect payment before you deliver.
2. Chargebacks
At some point, a customer/client will pay you for a service or product and just before the expiration date for credit card or PayPal chargebacks. They then go on to file a claim to reverse the payment. When this happens you’ll be offended or shocked and required to build a case to prove you delivered as you promised in order to get PayPal or your credit card company to return the money back to you.
3. Selective Hearing
Not all people listen to the advice you give them and you will find that some don't take action on it. This is true when selling products also. Just last week an associate told me that her client walked across the parking lot in a torrential rainstorm while talking on his phone. When she told him that his phone was damaged--not defective, he stated that his phone had never been exposed to water. She clearly explains that the risks associated when the phones comes into contact with water as part of her process. But, not all clients listen. The tough part in this type of case is that the client will blame you for not being clear in what you explained to them them and expect you to fix the situation at your expense.
4. Bad Reviews
Another client once had to terminate an employee. The following morning, she discovered several bad reviews written about their business on social media, including one from the employee’s mother and several of their friends. What was crazy about this was that none of these individuals had ever been her customers.
5. Theft
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; however, you will not be flattered when it comes to having someone steal your online courses, content, or IP. Let's call it was it is: theft. I’ve had people lift my content and share without attribution. I have also had clients who had someone purchase their course and re-package it to re-sell it as their own. It is quite easy to “model” what success looks like in our digital world and even easier to pass off someone else’s work as your own. Rather than being shocked when this happens, give your attorney a call.
6. Ghosted
You most likely will hire someone to perform a task for your business at some point. Then that person/company will either disappoint you, be unable to fulfill their obligation, or they disappear with your payment. It will feel like a horrible breakup where you were robbed. That person/company will avoid your emails, texts and voicemails, even though they deposited your payment. Again, turn this over to your attorney.
7. Poaching
One day a client or customer will attempt to entice away a member of your team. Or one of your team members will atttempt to steal your clients. Don't be shocked when this happens. Protect your business with strong non-solicitation and non-compete agreements whenever possible.
I'm sorry that these things will happen to you. Fight any inclination you may have to let it go. Allowing these things to slide causes the lesson to resurface later. Contact a business advisor or attorney for guidance. You are not a doormat and it matters to stand up for yourself. Fortunately, the vast majority of people will never do any of these things. For those rare instances when they do, you must be very clear in your communication, fully support your situation with documentation, and never back down.