Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: When Business Relationships Don’t Work Out

Written by Tracy Sullivan.

Business relationships often resemble a great romance – intense, fulfilling and challenging at the start.  However, over time the relationship fades, requiring too much time, energy and even money to keep the relationship going.  While no one enjoys going through a professional breakup, often there are really good reasons to make it happen.  You have a new job opportunity; there are personality conflicts; you’ve changed your product offerings or the client no longer fits your business model. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of ending the relationship (including the financial impact!) and if it is time to end it, here are three tips for a drama-free break up.

Always, always be professional.  Despite Austin’s exponential growth, our city’s industry leaders and management are well connected.  Always leave a position or a contract on good terms.  Even if you’re at a point where you want to throw up your hands and walk away – don’t.  How you leave creates a lasting impression that could follow you to the next job or project. Make it a very professional parting.

Offer solutions.  If you’re leaving a job, be prepared to offer your employer recommendations to temporarily cover your job responsibilities. If you’re under contract, be sure there are no penalties for ending your contract, then do the same, offer ways for the work to transition a new contractor or to someone within the organization.

Be fair and flexible.  Whether you’re leaving a full time or contract position, don’t leave your employer in the lurch.  If you can offer more than two weeks notice use that time to help your employer find and train your replacement. Depending on the terms of your contract, gather and deliver all documentation related to your project in a timely manner.

Yes, breaking up is hard to do.  But if in the end, it’s managed professionally and amicably, no one is left with a sense of loss or hard feelings.  Instead it becomes an opportunity for everyone to grow and change.