Home topics news News News It’s not me, it’s you. Everything you need to know about “breaking up” Gemma Tognini June 29, 2010 Hands up if you’ve ever broken up with someone? Hands up if you ever been dumped, BEFORE you got a chance to end it? Good times…. Back in the day before email and text, I recall that breaking up happened one of a few ways. Face to face (sober or otherwise) Via phone Via a third party (abhorrent) What I like to call the Passive Aggressive Special….. Deafening silence i.e. you/they simply stop calling. So what about when you have to “break up” with a client? You know what it’s like. Things just aren’t working. You don’t talk the way you should. You don’t like the same things. You are going in different directions. It gets awkward. Awkward like asking a lady if she’s pregnant when she’s not. Add to this mix that in business, it’s not just relationship that’s at stake, its revenue. Cash flow. Bottom line. Yeah…it’s complicated. Well, here’s a quick breakup guide I’ve prepared with the aim of ensuring you won’t have to wrap up your dignity and wave it goodbye in the process. It doesn’t have to be nasty. When to break up If they don’t share your DNA – your business’ and team’s heart and soul. It will affect your ability to deliver and therefore your reputation. If you don’t truly believe in what the client is asking you to do.