Saying no to work.
WHAT TO DECLINE
Applications you cannot support Clients whose requirements exceed shared hosting Work outside your competence, taken for the revenue Clients who negotiate the price down before the relationship starts Anyone abusive at the enquiry stage
WHY THE LAST ONE MATTERS
Behaviour at the enquiry stage predicts behaviour as a client, reliably.
THE APPLICATION QUESTION
If a client wants something you have never run and cannot support, declining is more professional than accepting and struggling.
Refer them, and they may return for something you can do.
HOW TO DECLINE
Briefly and without apology. "That is outside what I support. You would be better served by X."
WHAT DECLINING PROTECTS
Your time, your reputation, and your capacity for clients you serve well.
THE COST OF ACCEPTING BADLY
A client you cannot support consumes disproportionate time, produces a poor outcome, and talks about it.
One such client can cost more than several good ones contribute.
THE DISCIPLINE
Early in a business, every enquiry feels like it must be accepted.
Learning to decline is what makes the business sustainable.
