5 Ways to Spot Time Wasters in Your Business
There are so few hours in the day to do what you need to do. This is something I wish I’d thought more about when starting my business—how to spot time wasters. There are people out there with no intention of buying your services or moving forward with anything. They might be really nice people but they’re in research mode, dream mode, or just shopping around, but they’re not the right fit for your business.
Here are five ways to identify potential time wasters and protect your time and resources:
1. They Refuse to Meet You in Your Office
If someone insists you come to their house to look at their project but won’t meet you at your office or a neutral location, it’s a red flag. At Ballast Point, we’ve learned that when we ask people to meet us at our office first and found that serious clients will make the effort. Time wasters, on the other hand, won’t—they’re usually still in the shopping or research phase and going to your office is either too much effort or leaves them a bit exposed - to be honest I’m not exactly sure how it works but it does. I don’t start looking into the project until there is an appointment in our office booked.
2. They Won’t Pay for Your Services
Another telltale sign is when they’re unwilling to pay for even a small service fee. If you propose to create a report, charge a consultation fee, or any upfront cost, and they push back, chances are they’re not serious. Genuine clients understand the value of your time and expertise and are willing to invest in it. Sure you need to make this a worthwhile experience and add value to their project - not just bill them to look at it. You can reach out to me to find out how to do this or look out for a future blog that might deep dive into the topic.
3. They’re Vague About What They Need
Time wasters often struggle to articulate what they actually want. Their requests might feel ambiguous or wishy-washy, leaving you unsure about their goals. If someone can’t clearly explain what they need, it’s a good indicator that they’re not ready to move forward. Having said that some client will come to you because you can help them work out what they need as a trusted advisor so don’t bin an otherwise promising lead, particularly if they are happy to pay for your services.
4. They Avoid Answering Your Questions
If you’re asking questions to understand their needs and they give inconsistent or evasive answers - particularly about their budget - that’s another red flag. Lack of clarity and consistency in their responses or hesitation to answer a question is a sign they’re not serious about engagement with you. Some people won’t tell about their budget because either they genuinely don’t have one yet or they are worried that this will put them at an unfair advantage so there’s a bit of nuance here, if it’s just the budget that’s one thing, if it’s budget and a bunch of other things on this list then they are definitely a time waster.
5. They’re “In a Hurry” But Non-Responsive
Some time wasters create a false sense of urgency, saying they need something done ASAP. However, their actions don’t match their words—they’re slow to respond, avoid discussing budgets, and leave things ambiguous, even if they have drawings or plans. Urgency without follow-through often indicates a lack of commitment.
These are just a few of the signs I’ve noticed over the years. Did I miss any? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—leave a comment or book a consultation with me.
Let’s learn from each other and build a stronger, more efficient construction industry.
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