Tweet

Tips To Deal With Unhappy Clients, From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Guest post by: Glenn Ebersole

Article Overview: How many of you have ever had to deal with an unhappy client or customer? What did you do? Did you feel prepared to deal with the unhappy client or customer? Yes, sooner or later, in every business there appears the unhappy client or customer. They are dissatisfied with your service or product. The issue of dissatisfaction may be real or only a perception, but if it is perceived it is believed and there is a problem. Ah, but Your Strategic Thinking Coach wants you to realize that a problem also means an OPPORTUNITY! The criticism from the client or customer is very valuable and the mindset of your company and your employees is critical to recovering and correcting the situation. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach has some tips tips to help you strategically respond to criticism from unhappy clients.

Tips To Deal With Unhappy Clients, From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

How many of you have ever had to deal with an unhappy client or customer? What did you do? Did you feel prepared to deal with the unhappy client or customer? Yes, sooner or later, in every business there appears the unhappy client or customer. They are dissatisfied with your service or product. The issue of dissatisfaction may be real or only a perception, but if it is perceived it is believed and there is a problem. Ah, but Your Strategic Thinking Coach wants you to realize that a problem also means an OPPORTUNITY!

The criticism from the client or customer is very valuable and the mindset of your company and your employees is critical to recovering and correcting the situation. The criticism should be treasured and this is the attitude that must be adopted by the company and its staff. By listening and hearing what the client has to say you are able to gather very important information that will allow you to improve your company and its performance. Now, please understand that I am not talking about the abusive and obnoxious client with unethical requests or those that abuse your employees.

I imagine a number of readers, if hey are really honest, will admit they have not adopted the attitude that criticism can be a good thing for their company and could certainly improve on the effective use of criticism to grow their business. So, Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach will share some tips to help you strategically respond to criticism.

Tip #1: Provide open and multiple channels for feedback from your clients.

Tip #2: Listen and hear what the client has to say. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the specifics of the client criticism.

Tip #3: Do not become defensive. Do everything you can to resist the temptation of going on the defensive with your client. This is no time to make excuses.

Tip #4: Develop and offer solutions, not excuses.

Tip #5: Assign a top priority to the implementation of your solution. Commit to follow-through on the solution in an agreed upon time frame.

Strategic Tip #6: Communicate openly within your firm about the criticism and problem. Working through this type of adversity strengthens individuals, teams and relationships.

Strategic Tip #7: Discuss the problem and determine the “lessons learned” from the experience. Develop a plan to implement the “lessons learned.”

Strategic Tip #8: Thank your client for bringing the problem to your attention.

Strategic Tip #9: Use longer term vision when viewing the solutions and their costs. Use the concept of the “lifetime value” of a client in your deliberations about a cost to fix the problem, in lieu of a short term view of the immediate cost.

Strategic Tip #10: Develop a strategic action plan today for that future call from an unhappy client or customer so that you can capitalize on the opportunity it will bring.

Your strategic thinking business coach encourages you to fully realize the benefits of business coaching to more strategically address criticism from your clients and customers. If you would like to learn more about how a strategic thinking business coach can facilitate and guide you in that endeavor, please contact Glenn Ebersole today through his website at www.businesscoach4u.com or by email at jgecoach@aol.com

Related Articles
  Strategic Business Greeting Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
  “Strategic Marketing Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
  “Strategic Business Tips On How To Deal With The Departure of Key Executive, From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
  Business Coaching As A Valuable Asset For You and Your Business
  Ten Tips For Writing Successful Business Proposals From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Article Tags:



Related Forum Posts
Re: Essential Leadership skills - Vision Values Mission Strategic Thinking Decision Making Communication Team Bonding People Development Coaching / Mentoring / Guiding / Grooming Presentation Thanks Robert
Different Hats - CEO Sales & Marketing & Leadership Development Company Strategic Vision 10 Alliances & Growth Strategies 10 Hiring & Managing People 8 Mentoring 8-9 Strategic Planning for Clients 10 Execution of Marketing Campaigns 9-10 (i have great people who do the nitty gritty) Financial Management 9 Bookkeeping 3 (outsourced as I really hate the fine details like GST0 Administrative Follow Up 6-7 (again have great staff) Writing & Publishing 9 (getting better all the time!) Speaking 10 (so I have been told) Self Promotion 9-10 Web development & Promotion 6-7 (learning more and have brought on players who are 10+) Babysitting Employees (1 - wont do it, that's why I work so hard to hire and motivate the people I have) Great topic Kevin!! Jude
Re: Business Coaching Resources - You're fortunate when you can find a Business Coach who has experience beyond where you've been and even where you are going. When your budget is slim and even after, it's good to have a mentor. Several of various backgrounds are very useful. They can be teachers, professors, pastors, business people, family members, bosses and former bosses. You have to be clear on what you want and what you desire to achieve, be able to convey it as simply as possible. Stop and listen and don't over tax their time. You should always expect results whether from a Business Coach or Mentors. If you're not gtting results, you're either not focused or you need to upgrade the quality of your mentors/coaches. Always surround yourself by people smarter than you.
Business Tips - How about: Tips for managers to handle employees more effectively? Tips on how to deal with difficult customers? Tips on how to deal more effectively with suppliers? The only three I have in mind right now, but will try to come up with something else. Chris
Re: Who Did You Learn Most From and Why? - Hi Martin, You missed out on the most essential community that helps you grow - Your Clients. Well, I believe that my Initial Clients have been the ones who have given me the moments of 'aha' in my business. They have stood by me even when I was a starter and that has helped me shape and build my stand. They have helped me grow as an entrepreneur, learn to have loads of patience and make the most of what comes across. They have also helped me to strengthen me as a person. btw, personally speaking, my Grandfather always kept me on track and lent me emotional support when I was down in any matter - be it business or otherwise.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Golden Rule of Communications

Resolving A Conflict Between Two Sales Staffs

Why Use an Advertising Agency

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.