I'm Avoiding a Client
 

Once again I came home to work in my kitchen from 10 to 1 because a client was coming to the office to talk to my people and me. He is a great guy and comes in and he is so enthusiastic and full of energy that I don't get any work done for hours when he's here. I enjoy his company, but I have a business to run. We've told him how much it costs per hour for him to be here but he is unphased. He comes anyway and pays his bills but I've got a 911 engine to rebuild and all kinds of stuff to do and I don't want to be rude but I DO want to pursue my own agenda. His billing isn't everything. Plus, if he takes up time to the exclusion of other clients and then goes away, we're stuck with no clients. It's a delicate balance and I don't know how to gently tell him to slow down without upsetting him. Any suggestions?

Stop enabling him.

When he shows up, give him 10 minutes then excuse yourself and tell him you have a schedule to keep.

Either that or send him a bill for the time you put in at home, at time and a half of course.

Can you raise your rate for him to both make it worth your while and make him do the math?

I'm a pretty polite guy and I have no problems telling someone in my office that it has been great talking but I need to get back to XXX activity

Restraining order.....

This.

Mind you, my brother did this to reduce his workload and the client(s) just paid up and kept coming. But then, at least a nicer problem to have.

My People are trained to come in and "Give me the Nod" on cue.....I follow them to the Situation Room..

I used to do something similar with pain in the ass vendors.

I always met them in the lobby.

On the way down I would tell my admin "page me in 10 minutes".

Good advice above. I don't have any issue leaving meetings when my role is done. You've just got to decide when that is, don't let him decide for you

Welcome to my farkin life. I get it all day, I got beat down by 3 different people this morning, and basically sucked the life out of the first part of my day
Im with you, I am a friendly guy, but I am also at work trying to get stuff done . I have people who want to wait for their $30.00 state inspection, but then they stick around for an hour after wards, and try to make conversation . I'd love to sit and shoot the shtick, but I don't get paid for it and have to be on the hustle all day to get it all done. Guys love to hang out around garages .
Hence, my night owl thread

I don't play games. Just be frank and honest. I just say I've got to get back to work and have a nice day. Then I go back to work. Some might say I'm rude but at least I'm truthful. I let my customers know I appreciate them but jobs don't get themselves done.

When his time's up start taking off your clothes. If that doesn't work, and it prolly won't, lick the floor between his feet and move on to his shoes.

Otherwise, the advise given thus far in this thread is excellent.

He wants him to go away though.

Oh.

Good point.

Have something interesting in the parking lot to show him. Walk him out, after a few minutes reach out to shake his hand. He will take it.

While shaking tell him it was nice chatting you've got to get back to work then turn and leave

He may be just waiting for you to do that

My ex-boss would hide in the toilet room, and that was just from a phone call.

I would tell the client the boss just went in the toilet, and he knew from experience he would be on hold for a 30 minute minimum.

Lots of travel magazines in the toilet room, it was his sanctuary.

Tell him again, and then schedule consultation time for the next visit.
In a nice way of course.

A client is a paying client. Don't hate yourself because you're beautiful(loereal hair commercial).

"I'd love to chat during work hours but then I'd have to bill you."

"Ok. That's great. Bye now!"

"Hey, nice chatting with you. I have to get back to work."

Shake his hand saying: "It was good talking with you. I'd love to talk more but I have other customers that want the same great service I give you. I don't want to short change them and I certainly don't want to charge you any more than I have to. Have a great day." (Don't wait for an answer. Just walk away assuming that he understood and agreed)

All good advice use whatever approach is best for you at the opportunity/situation. I have a similar rant by from the perspective of a sales person. I work on commission only selling capital medical equipment but have customers I loath to see. Most meetings that are an hour long plus the time it took me to travel to and from, all they want to do is talk. I got a business to run and my time is valuable is what I want to say to them, with a family to feed if you appreciate my time/input show me by purchasing my product. If you want to chit chat get a dog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L5Zx34mjUU

Wow... just wow...