Re: Do you expect friends to use your business?

Greetings Newbie,

This is a great post.

First off don't read to much into their actions.

I have some very close friends whom I booked a group cruise for last year and there were no problems.

If there were no problems, you have nothing to be concerned about.

This year they tell me someone in that group (about 6 couples and children) wanted to go elsewhere to book (they wanted to give someone they knew the business) instead of going through me.

Like good friends, it sounds like they gave you a chance last year, but this year they want to give someone else a chance. That's fair, wouldn't you say?

My question is this, do you think the close friends should of told the group that they would like to continue to use my services out of support, loyalty and respect for our friendship?

Nope! And here's why. What you gave your friends last year, was just another option to making travel arrangements. As a friend you used your resources, but were well compensated. It was and can never be considered anything else then simply a business transaction. You rendered a service and they purchased that service from you. You did not offer friendship.

Now I'm going to give you a hard core lesson about business, where friends and family are concerned.

Treating people differently, while conducting business, always brings hurt feelings, broken relationships and a sense of contempt, when something isn't handled correctly or these people go elsewhere and take their business.

So many people, that go into business, are eager to get the business. They solicit family, friends, acquaintances, co-worker, neighbors, and etc., but they solicit these people thinking that once they buy from them, they will be customers for life.

This unfortunately, is the hardest lesson the new business owner has to learn about business. Family and friends expect more, want to pay less, withold payment, are unloyal, and assume it's no big deal if they don't support you.

You have no family or friends in business. You have prospects, customers, and clients. Placing a value on friendships or family relationships is meant to be outside the workplace. If you are doing something extra for the above mentioned people then you are discriminating against clients that have no connection with you, other than by the service you rendered.

You must always conduct business honestly, fairly, equally, and without partiality to the recipient of your services.

Now what I would suggest you offer this group, is be supportative in their decision, and offer to be of any assistance if they have any questions. You might consider putting together a HOTSHEET of fun facts and sites for them to use while on their trip.