Loading summary
A
I drive my bus in a busy city. That's why road safety is so important to me. I know that I must slow down and be extra careful when I make a wide turn. Buses need more room than cars. Everyone can help keep our roads safe. Next time you're driving, remember to give buses plenty of time and space to finish turning before driving ahead. Let's all plan to share the road safely. Learn how at www.sharetheroadsafely.gov.
B
great companies aren't built on average talent. In private equity backed high growth businesses, the right operator changes everything. Onward. Headhunting partners with founders, operators and investors to build elite finance strategy and operations teams. From early hires to exit ready leadership, we deliver the talent that drives outcomes. If you are scaling or transacting, go onward. Visit onwardheadhunting.com or find us on LinkedIn to learn more.
C
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion revolves around knowing what clients not to work with. And often we think about this as important as knowing who your target customer is. So one of the things that we look at in building a business is if you're building a serious business, you can't work with people that are either incredibly difficult for your team to work with or that can't pay the freight that you need to keep the business going that you want to have. So when we look at this, we often think about business in stages. One of the first Maslow's hierarchies in a business is when you get to a spot, you're successful enough, you're busy enough that you no longer have to work with those customers that are for whatever reason, they are very difficult customers. They could be customers that are difficult to work with because they're very tough on your team, they're nasty, your team, whatever reason it is. But there's a sort of Maslow's hierarchy in business of getting to a spot where you could choose are you working with customer or not working with them and then recognizing going forward. If you're trying to build a billion dollar law firm, we can't work with individual practices that pay $1,000 a year. The numbers just don't work. You have to give too many customers to make that work. You've got to really concentrate your efforts around important clients, clients that can really pay the bills and really drive the business forward and and give your people the kinds of experiences they need to have. This concept of knowing which clients not to work with in whatever business you're in doesn't matter if you're in a wall business, a media business, a product business, knowing who's not your customer is often just as important as knowing who is your target customer. Both are very, very important. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We hope you enjoy these short episodes. Thank you very, very much.
D
During Memorial Day at Lowe's Shop Household must haves for less. Save $80 on a Char Broil Series 4 burner grill to chef up something special, plus get up to 45% off select major appliances to keep things fresh. Our best lineup is here at Lowe's. Lowe's we help you save valid through 527 while supplies last selection varies by location. See Lowes.com for details.
C
Visit your nearby Lowe's.
Podcast: Becker Business
Host: Scott Becker
Episode Title: Knowing Which Clients Not to Work With
Date: May 23, 2026
Main Theme:
Scott Becker delves into the crucial—yet often overlooked—business strategy of intentionally choosing which clients not to work with. He emphasizes that understanding who isn't the right fit for your business can be as significant as defining your ideal customer. The episode addresses the importance of selectivity in client relationships for sustainable growth and operational harmony.
On Building a Professional Culture:
"You can't work with people that are either incredibly difficult for your team to work with or that can't pay the freight." — Scott Becker, 00:59
On Evolving Client Standards:
"There's a sort of Maslow's hierarchy in business of getting to a spot where you could choose are you working with customer or not working with them and then recognizing going forward." — Scott Becker, 01:21
On Growth and Client Value:
"If you're trying to build a billion dollar law firm, we can't work with individual practices that pay $1,000 a year. The numbers just don't work." — Scott Becker, 01:41
On Strategic Clarity:
"Knowing who's not your customer is often just as important as knowing who is your target customer." — Scott Becker, 02:21
Scott Becker delivers the episode in a concise, practical tone, rooted in real-world business experience. His advice is direct, insightful, and framed in a way that is relatable for entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking sustainable growth.
In this focused episode, Scott Becker emphasizes the vital importance of being strategic about client selection. He advocates for the courage and discipline to avoid relationships that don't fit your business’s financial or cultural needs. Defining who your business will not serve, he asserts, is a key milestone on the path to scaling a successful and resilient company.