It depends on who is vacillating. If it’s the seeker (say, startup looking for funds) that is dithering, it means (s)he is got choices. But don’t juggle too many because you could end up dropping all balls.

If it’s the service provider (Angels, VC, Banks), then (s)he is probably looking for better terms. That means room for negotiation. Pick up the slack and ask them “what more do you think we should be doing?” Revisit the deal, give it a makeover and call on them again. You could be in for pleasant surprise…

Bitching people’s ways don’t get us anywhere. We’re not here to change them. We’re here to use them, exploit them to our advantage. So just go find the best way to do just that. Some are grumpy and procrastinating by nature. Accept it. They defer almost anything. Recognize that it is the format of their decision process. Yes, No, May be are different steps that eventually would lead them to finally say yes or no. Be in touch with them and on top of their mind, but never interrupt their process. That way you betray desperation and give them ideas. Sometimes it might rattle them and they will down the shutters in a huff. You want neither. You want a Yes, don’t you…? So focus on that, just that and not why some people are assholes.

Nice Job

Tomas