turn it off

We all have clients that don’t pay – and most of the people I know in the technology biz who cater to the SMB are the most lenient.  Invoices 120 days out, hardware on “loan” – If the invoices are sent out, and ignored, TURN THAT SHIT OFF!  And I’ve heard every reason for not doing that – client is having a tough month…year….career, they hook up with cookies or wine, sleeping with the receptionist…or partner – Why is it ok to provide services when the client doesn’t pay?  Do you, the provider, pay your bills with kudos?  I have a job for you! J
What happens if you don’t pay the cell – it gets turned off and anyone calling you knows that.  What if you don’t pay for your car – it gets repossessed.  Don’t pay for the credit card – enjoy the highest interest rate available.  What happens if you don’t pay the IT solution provider – generally, nothing.

I did that for the longest time – I admit it.  I was wrong.  I was trying to be the good guy, “hook me up when things get better” I’d say before driving home on a quarter tank to watch Goodfellas on a 14” CRT.  And a double whammy when you rely on referrals for new business – them bums refer you to their bum friends whose last IT guy told them to pound sand for the same reason you won’t.  And dealing with cash flow issues because of those decisions prevent the growth that is so necessary at this time.  It prevents a lifestyle.  It harms the ego.  Empty bank accounts make intelligent people look at multilevel marketing (from the bottom) like it’s a good idea.

I’ve found the best way to get people to pay is to turn off the services they have not paid for and cut support, just like all the other vendors out there do.  You have more to lose too, a $2k miss hits a lot more in the SMB than the F100.  Get them invoices out and don’t be afraid to cut the client off – as a rule, this is business – not personal.

Armen