As the old saying goes - without risk there is no reward. But how do you know when the risk is too high and should you say no to a client if they ask you to tackle something outside of your comfort zone?
As your business grows you may decide to expand your offering or, a client may ask you to undertake a project which is related to your field but is something you have never tried before. As a small café, you might decide to expand into catering or, as a graphic design business your client may ask you to host a website.
While the concept is great, the risk is high. This is un-chartered territory and there could be many challenges along the way. You will require new skills and understanding of how to apply them to the task as well as the time to make sure the new challenge is done properly.
Make certain you weigh up the options before committing yourself and most importantly, don't be afraid to admit it if the task is beyond your capability. Keep in mind that you can refer the business to someone else if you feel the project is beyond you abilities - this option would project a professional image and is unquestionably preferable to ruining a client relationship.
Ask yourself these three questions before committing your business to a new task.
Is the time right for your business?
How established is your business? A new operator should focus on building the business before expanding into new areas so the service offering of your firm isn't confused before you have really started. If there are existing issues or concerns in your business or simply areas that could be improved, make sure these issues are taken care of before accepting new responsibilities. There is little point building upwards if the foundation is unstable.
Consider whether or not you have the available time to dedicate to learning something new. Acquiring new skills and working out how to use them is time consuming so don't over-commit yourself if you are already poor on time. In fact, one of the worst things you could do is to realise part way through the project that you don't have the time or resources to continue. Make sure you can give the task the time it deserves.
What is your relationship with the client?
There may come a time when a client asks you to enter un-chartered waters by taking on a new task. In this case your decision to accept or reject the opportunity will largely depend on your relationship with the client. Have you maintained a good relationship with them for a number of years or are you still in the early stages of your affiliation? You need to be completely honest with the client about your capabilities and be prepared to admit your mistakes as you learn.
This can prove difficult with a new client. If you are still developing the relationship, admitting your shortfalls too early in the piece could lose you the client before the relationship has really kicked into full swing. Also, be careful not to set a precedent you cannot maintain - don't say you are willing to try something different if you're not prepared to continue with it or do it again.
On the other hand, if you have a strong relationship with a client, an opportunity like this could be a great chance to develop your skills or learn something new. The key is to make sure you are completely open and honest with the client from the beginning about how much you know. If the client agrees to give you a go even through you need to spend time learning new skills it can be a terrific boost for you and your business. Just don't charge the client the full rate until you are confident in your abilities.
If the client doesn't give you a clear requirement, how will you know where to start and what to do? Particularly when tackling something unknown, it is essential to have clear guidelines. You can't build a house without a plan and this is no different.
When you are still in the discussion stages, ask the client what they want to achieve from the task and what they believe will be needed to complete it. If they are unsure on any key details, don't get involved until they can provide answers to these questions with ease. The last thing you want is for the client to begin discussing additional requirements which are outside of your capabilities once you have started the project.
Similarly, you want to be expanding your existing skill set rather than learning something entirely new. If you're a plumber and the client wants you to set up their website, you need to consider why they're asking you. Also think about what the benefit would be to you, particularly if it is something you have no previous knowledge of. Again, it is important you are honest with your client about your level of skill and are prepared to say 'no' if you feel the client is asking for something too different to your existing field.
A lot can be gained from stepping up to the plate and tackling something unfamiliar however it can also be a big risk. The decision is largely dependent on the client and the timing. The most important thing is to be honest with the client and admit if a task is beyond your capability.
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