It would be pointless to share the many directions his visions keeps moving us.  My concern is this, I’m the newbie, I need a job, I actually ENJOY working for him, but how can I, a expert educator, reel him in to focus and follow through on one or even a set of static tutoring services instead of zigzagging all over with his abundance of dreams and visions? He has a day job, but this business is ALL I’ve got since retirement for teaching.

Shhhhh……Barbara

Barbara – I agree with Dan – Make a solid plan to achieve his top 3- but be sure they really are his top 3 before you begin. Use mindjet to make a mindmap of all the ideas – maybe some are interconnected. As an expert educator, you are well poised to create a “curriculum” for him. Good luck!

Well, I can certainly relate to this kind of personality, trust me… Not easy to deal with, but Dan gave you some good advice already. One trick I have applied is to put dollar figures on plans that change, as we all know there is a cost to changing course. Can be a real cost, i.e. brochures in production, or it can be intangible costs, i.e. troops motivation sinking. Either one can be calculated, for example if turnover is high, there is a problem with the company culture, and this can stem from leadership, or lack thereof…

Not easy to always relate things with dollar figures, but sometimes that’s all some folks will understand.

Good luck!

LOL – I can relate.  I’ve been working with my main client for awhile now and engagement is up on his page, then he comes to me and says he’s not really comfortable being “out” there so much on Facebook (!!) and wants to scale back how often the posts go out!! at least I talked him out posting of just a few times a week back to once a day. Then he wanted posts that are all business – not selling, just facts about his industry.  Especially facts that pertain solely to our local area, even though his Facebook influence is nationwide!  Some people just need more patience and A LOT more coaching as to how social media is best used effectively. Its not the traditional way to market and many otherwise intelligent people can have a hard time grasping the concept.

Having been thru this myself I would like to add that fear is a major factor with many business owners: fear of failure, fear of success.  One small business owner was afraid of negative comments being posted on social media so refused to participate and still hasn’t to this day. 

Fear of success can be brought on by the owner not knowing how to grow his business, how to reruit and retain good people. 

Best advice I can give is be prepared, stay focused, and don’t be afraid to move on if your gut feeling is telling you that you are wasting your time.

I think @DonGrandy is on the right track.  We’d probably fire the client.  Seriously.

One of the advantages in having your own consulting business is the ability to accept only the clients you really want to work with.  There are plenty of people who know what they want and can articulate it clearly so you are readily able to meet their needs.  They’re a pleasure to work with.  In contrast, an entrepreneur who shifts direction that rapidly is a costly time waster.

Firing him needn’t be confrontational.  The face-saving approach is to be too busy to respond to his latest brainstorm.

Finding new clients can be as straightforward as joining a business networking group.  You can likely replace the lost revenue fairly quickly.

Great conversation, enjoyed reading @judithgotwald @abigailgorton @dongrandy @joanmuschampfagnani @susanlynch @gregorybuford @barbc @dfriesland @kellyashtonbradley  @fredericgonzalo @dedimason 

I don’t think I made something clear…..”the client” is the owner of the company I work for.  HE keeps changing directions.  He doesn’t know it yet, but the director over me is fed up.  She has two MA’s and has told me she’s moving on.  If she goes, I’ll go, probably substitute teaching, ick, but I’m accustomed to the rigidity of public schools and changing service directions every three weeks is wearing us out.  Difficult to hire tutors, change logo, etc.  He’s a wonderful human being, but, despite director’s pleading…he’s just not getting it.  I got informed today, from her, of yet another change.  Oy vey. We tutor in everything.  No we tutor just writing. We offer after school anytime tutoring for once a month fee. We dont. I’m supposed to be visiting principals of private schools, but I can’t tell them yesterday services when I know they’ll change tomorrow.  Sylvan and others are killing us, but he keeps idea-ing and groping.  Question: What would some of you think about me having private conversation with him and getting him to commit (with a word document poster) to at least a 90 day direction?
@judithgotwald When the lofty idea start to flow, redirect the conversation to how they relate to the defined objectives. There may be a connection he/she hasn’t thought of. There may be none at all. But at least, you’ve pointed out that it is new and additional work that will steal time and resources from the stated objectives.

I feel like if the director, my boss, hasn’t been able to rein him in , in 18 mos. how could I possibly be the one to follow to try the same? Sigh…..I feel her communication skills far outweigh mine.  He’s going to be sick, though she has told him of her unhappiness multiple times, when she leaves…she IS the profit maker for him.  Big shoes for me to fill.