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This last week or so, my team and I were working on generating some marketing materials so I could attend a busines expo here in Ravenshoe. It meant that some of the team have been working extra hours for me.
I ASKED them to do the work and I expected that my invoice for this last week would be higher. No issues there.
It got fed back to me that one of the team was concerned about the hours they were racking up and what they would have to invoice me for the work. It was a lot of hours.
Now, I've been in that position with my own clients. They keep asking for things, I do the work and submit an invoice. However, sometimes my tummy does flip flops as I worry if they'll be upset with the amount! I'm sure we've all been there an will be there again.
The question is, can you alleviate that?
The answer to the question I just posed is ... yes and it's it sort of a simple answer with the execution being perhaps a little more difficult.
The answer is COMMUNICATE. I know right? Simple. Just talk to your client. "Hey, just letting you know that this work we've already done is some many hours and we've got xyz things left to do. Did you want me to keep working on those this week, is there something that you'd like me to give more priority to, etc etc etc."
That does a couple of things. Firstly it lets your client decide if the budget can stretch for this time period and the priority of the things left to do. Secondly, it says that you're responsible and you care about their business too.
It really is a win / win.
Now, you might that the client is a bit ... surprised ... by how much time has been spent and that's ok - that's why we communicate. Managing perceptions is the other side of the coin here. It's difficult to understand how much work goes into something, if you're not familiar with doing it yourself.
By going back and giving your client that information, you're also educating them on the value of your work.
Of course, this approach goes to other things too. Asking questions, communicating, providing feedback are invaluable tools to understanding your clients communication style and their business. It also might help them structure requests to you in a way that is clearer and provides the details you need.
Overall, I've found that it makes for a great, long term, working relationship. And ... creates a team!
I'm sure you've all had some experience with this, why not drop over to my LOCALS community and leave it there ... start, or join in, the conversation.
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Life is busy and there's just so many things to remember. What tools do you use to help you keep on top of ALL the things?
It's easy to react or respond quickly to messages and the like. It's better to do that mindfully. That's why I try to Practice The Pause.
If you’re bringing in extra help over Christmas or changing how work gets done while people are away, what happens to the information your business handles? An arrangement that keeps work moving can potentially expose customer details and confidential business information to unauthorised people.
✅ What access and data are you handing over along with the work when someone steps in for Christmas?
➡️ Why does an email forward matter?
⚡ What does your automation keep after it’s finished its job?
⭐ What should you do when you return from a break?
If you’re making arrangements for the break, join Charly for Firewall Friday. What precautions are you taking with your automations over Christmas?
Book a Free 30 minute Breakthrough Session: https://askcharlyleetham.com/book-me
(1 per person only)
Follow us:
Locals: https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Rumble: https://rumble.com/askcharlyleetham
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/askcharlyleetham
...
Getting ready for the Christmas holiday break? The automated response when someone submits an enquiry from your website can perform a vital function in setting expectations and conveying holiday information.
Charly’s preparing holiday notifications in Gravity Forms for today’s Walkthrough Wednesday.
➡️ What do you need to convey in the message?
⚡ How do you add multiple notifications in Gravity Forms?
⭐ When should you get the messages ready?
✅ Who can make the changes?
Get organised now before business takes off.
Have you started your festive season plans yet?
Book a Free 30 minute Breakthrough Session: https://askcharlyleetham.com/book-me
(1 per person only)
Follow us:
Locals: https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Rumble: https://rumble.com/askcharlyleetham
Odyssey: https://odysee.com/@askcharlyleetham:4
YouTube: https://youtube.com/askcharlyleetham
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askcharlyleetham
Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbizmgr
Instagram: ...
Could your small business win work with a large company or government? Being good at what you do matters, but a prospective buyer also wants to know they can depend on you.
Bronwyn Reid, business mentor and author of Small Company Big Business, joins Charly to discuss what it takes to become that supplier. Drawing on nearly 30 years of supplying larger organisations through her environmental services business, Bronwyn shares some hard-earned lessons:
✅ Why a bigger buyer might see risk where you see great service.
➡️ What’s worth preparing before a contract catches your eye.
⚡ Where smaller businesses can find opportunities they might otherwise overlook.
⭐ Why competing for work doesn’t rule out working together.
A larger contract could bring more consistent income, but is your business ready to take it on?
Join Charly and Bronwyn for a conversation about closing that gap, including the work involved and where to find help.
Connect with Bronwyn
Website: https://bronwynreid.com.au
Facebook: ...
