What do You Say When a Client Makes a Bad Choice?
I am a marketing consultant. Sometimes I am hired to design websites, create brochures or distribute PR. Sometimes, I am just paid to give advice.
Now I love to share my opinions when people ask and even sometimes when they don’t… But sometimes it can be awkward. For example, what do you say to a client who has selected a vendor to provide a service, who you don’t believe is capable of doing the work or doing it well?
If they are already involved in the project, what do you do?
I had some time after a meeting with a client in which this occurred, so I asked the Twitterverse what they would do. Opinions varied widely. Here are just a few of the comments
@joshbrammer: “We don’t recommend this because of X, but let us know how it goes. We’d love to help if we can
@sandlerindy: “it is never too late to tell them that you have a problem and need their help”
@colinclark: “I would say yes, but tell them gently. Letting bad decisions go unspoken only leads to more bad decisions in the future”
The conversation was interesting, and gave me a few ideas. At the end of the day, I called the client, and gave him some specific suggestions he can use to guide the process with the vendor.
In the same situation, what would you do?
Why not have a past client tell them for you. Ask the client if you could have them talk to a few references. Specifically, have them ask why the reference chose you over the other competitors.
Great idea. That is why I love hanging out with you