Are You Creating a Business or a Job? Here's How to Realign Your Service
Episode 631: Show Notes
Spring has indeed sprung and apart from our gardening rituals, we have so many new things happening in the Boss Project world! The most pressing news on the street for the month of April 2022 is we have completely exploded the Creative Template Shop and it is officially available as its own entity on all platforms! As you guys have noticed, the conversations here at Boss Project have up-leveled as our business and our clients’ businesses have up-leveled, yet our educational spirit lives on and we want to keep providing actionable, bite-sized, tutorial content for growing business owners.
Our goal is to help you see quick wins with our incredible templates, marketing, and strategy. Join now on creativetemplateshop.com with discount code SAVE20 to save on our annual membership, and stay tuned for tips on how to realign expectations of scope with existing clients and how to get clear on creating a business for yourself rather than a job! In this episode, you’ll also discover the most common admin or general VA issue that arises when it comes to providing results for clients.
Listen on your favorite podcast player
Nuances Between Being a Contractor and Having a Contractor
There are differences and nuances that need to be paid attention to when it comes to both being someone else’s client and employing contractors for your own business. In both respects, our concern is about the crossing of boundaries. Many contractors tend to be willing to do anything the client asks, even at the detriment of getting them the results that they’re after. It is an absolute necessity to set boundaries with clients and manage expectations of what your actual job is, what your duties are, and who gets to decide them.
The Difference Between Creating a Business and Having a Job
You may be your own boss, but if you don’t manage both your own and your clients’ expectations, you’ll simply end up creating a job for yourself. And there is a distinct difference! The tasks you do need to be intentional. If you enjoy fulfilling certain roles and you feel it complements your growth, go for it! It’s when you get swept up by the misalignment of roles that you need to make a change and be clear in your communication and boundaries. Your clients are learning to interact with you based on your behavior and patterns, not necessarily what you say. It’s up to you to set the norm.
How To Realign Expectations of Scope With Existing Clients
So, you’ve recognized that your client’s expectations don’t align with what you’re willing or able to deliver, but how do you set things straight, realign expectations, and protect yourself from burnout? It starts with a simple email. It’s irresponsible to push past your own threshold and, as the scope of a project evolves, it’s important to keep streams of communication with clients clear and open. It is more than okay to pause operations until a client has paid. You are a service provider, not an employee. It’s not your job to take responsibility for the decisions your client is making. Furthermore, you need to back yourself up by writing your own contracts!
A Common Issue That Arises When Serving Clients
If it feels like the role you’re fulfilling for a client isn’t hitting the mark or giving them the results they’re after, it’s important to get realigned with the client’s goals for the project, as they may not have been clear about what it is they truly need from you. Be sure not to make adjustments to your deliverables without adjusting your contracts!
Quote This
Your clients are learning to interact with you based on your behavior and patterns, not necessarily what you say.
Highlights
Nuances Between Being a Contractor and Having a Contractor. [0:12:36]
The Difference Between Creating a Business and Having a Job. [0:16:20]
How To Realign Expectations of Scope With Existing Clients. [0:24:14]
A Common Issue That Arises When Serving Clients. [0:37:18]
ON TODAY’S SHOW
Abagail & Emylee
The Strategy Hour Podcast
We help overwhelmed and creative entrepreneurs break down their Oprah-sized dreams to create a functioning command center to tame the chaos of their business. Basically, we think you’re totally bomb diggity, we’re about to uplevel the shiz out of your business.
KEY TOPICS
Up-leveling, Setting Boundaries, Realigning Expectations, Service Provider, Service-Based Business, Hiring Contractors
