First, ask yourself some questions.
Do I find it difficult to start saying no to customers, suppliers, team members, ideas, or opportunities?
Which of these are problems for you?
What happens? Do you find yourself over-committed? Do you find yourself over-promising? Do you find yourself letting people down? Or is there simply never enough time left for what is important to you?
As a business owner, saying ‘no’ can be one of the most challenging parts of running a business. There are often many requests, opportunities, and obligations that can come your way, and it can be difficult to know when to say ‘no.’ Learning to identify what is important and of value to you and your business can change your performance and your life. In this blog, we’ll discuss what steps business owners can take to say ‘no’ in business and maintain their focus and efficiency.
Set your long-term goals
Without knowing what your long-term goals are how do you know what is important?
What are your goals in your business? Do you have a five-year business plan? Having a five-year plan gives you a clear direction of travel. From your five-year plan, you can set 12-month goals that you want and need to achieve to move in the direction of the five-year plan. When you have done this, you can set three-month goals, the things you want and need to achieve in the next three months.
Clarify your priorities to achieve these goals
Now you have some clarity on what you are trying to achieve in the short to medium term.
Before start saying ‘no’ or ‘yes’ ask yourself these three simple questions;
Will this help me achieve my quarter goals?
Is this Important?
Is this Urgent?
If the answers to these three questions are a resounding ‘yes’ then the next step is obvious. Say ‘yes’.
However, if the answer to one or more of these questions is a ‘no’ then why say ‘yes’?
Identifying the most important tasks, goals, and projects that require your attention helps you understand your priorities. Then you can make informed decisions about which requests or opportunities align with your goals, and which do not.
If you have a team in your business share the goals and the plan with them. This helps them understand what is important to you and the business, so you are less likely to be asked questions
Set clear boundaries
Setting clear boundaries is a key strategy for saying ‘no’ in business. This means communicating your expectations and limitations to others inside and outside of the business, and ensuring that they understand your boundaries. For example, you might set boundaries around your working hours, the types of projects you take on, or the frequency of meetings. You might also set boundaries around response times to customers.
Fundamentally, if you set clear boundaries and communicate these, then you start to manage others’ expectations of you. Then it becomes easier to say ‘no’ to requests that are outside of these boundaries.
Be polite but firm
When saying ‘no’ in business, it’s important to be polite but firm. This means communicating your decision clearly and respectfully, but also maintaining your position positively. Use firm and positive language in communicating your decision to say ‘no’ as you will feel and sound more convincing, making it harder for someone to argue the point against you. It is much easy to debate a point with someone when they are using negative language, as they sound like they don’t believe what they are saying.
Join the NoLimits Business Community
Are you a business owner looking to take your business to the next level? Join our innovative community of like-minded professionals and gain access to a wealth of valuable resources, including a community portal to chat with other business owners, ebooks, business development software, and growth events that will transform the way you do business. Best of all, these resources are completely free and will be available to you forever.
But the benefits of joining our NoLimits business community don’t stop there. By becoming part of our community, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other business owners, share insights and ideas, and build valuable relationships that will help your business thrive. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to supercharge your business and join us today!
Do not be apologetic about saying ‘no’
If it is the right thing to say ‘no’ then it’s really important to avoid being defensive or apologetic, as this can often lead to further requests or negotiations. Be clear in your mind before you commence the conversation that saying ‘no’ is the right thing to do. Think about your language and deliver the message confidently and politely.
Offer alternative solutions if appropriate
When saying ‘no’ to a request or opportunity, it can be helpful to offer alternative solutions or recommendations. For example, you might refer the person to someone else who can help them, or suggest a different approach that might better suit their needs. Before you say ‘no’ to someone, what might you be able to suggest or say ‘yes’ to that is acceptable or helpful to the other per son?
Learn to say 'no' to yourself
Who is the easiest person to let down?
Yes, ourselves!
In addition to saying ‘no’ to others, it’s important to learn to say ‘no’ to yourself. This means setting clear boundaries and limitations for yourself and avoiding overcommitting or taking on too many tasks. This is a fundamental discipline of running your own business. You have the power to make the decisions, but you need to be disciplined about this. What are the questions you need to ask yourself that ensure you look after your well-being? Only by prioritising your own goals and well-being, can you ensure that you’re able to maintain focus and efficiency in your business. I remember talking to a busy CEO who had a business operating in Europe, the USA, and Japan. I asked him what his number one priority was, to which he answered: “Making sure I am fit for purpose.” As business owners, often we place our well-being at the bottom of the list, and saying ‘no’ can change this.
Conclusion
In conclusion, saying ‘no’ in business can be a challenging but necessary part of running a business. By clarifying your goals, identifying your priorities, setting clear boundaries, being polite but firm, offering alternative solutions, and learning to say ‘no’ to yourself, you can maintain your focus and efficiency on what is important, and position your business for long-term success and growth.
By Tom Allchurch
Join the NoLimits Business Community
Are you a business owner looking to take your business to the next level? Join our innovative community of like-minded professionals and gain access to a wealth of valuable resources, including a community portal to chat with other business owners, ebooks, business development software, and growth events that will transform the way you do business. Best of all, these resources are completely free and will be available to you forever.
But the benefits of joining our NoLimits business community don’t stop there. By becoming part of our community, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other business owners, share insights and ideas, and build valuable relationships that will help your business thrive. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to supercharge your business and join us today!