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Last updated on Feb 6, 2025
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Dealing with a client who demands unrealistic timelines. How can you navigate negotiations effectively?

When a client insists on unrealistic timelines, it's crucial to balance their expectations with what's feasible. Here’s how you can navigate these tricky negotiations:

  • Set clear boundaries: Communicate your team's capacity and the risks of rushing.

  • Offer alternatives: Propose a phased approach or prioritize key deliverables.

  • Document agreements: Ensure all commitments are in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

How do you handle demanding clients? Share your strategies.

Business Relationship Management Business Relationship Management

Business Relationship Management

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Last updated on Feb 6, 2025
  1. All
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  3. Business Relationship Management

Dealing with a client who demands unrealistic timelines. How can you navigate negotiations effectively?

When a client insists on unrealistic timelines, it's crucial to balance their expectations with what's feasible. Here’s how you can navigate these tricky negotiations:

  • Set clear boundaries: Communicate your team's capacity and the risks of rushing.

  • Offer alternatives: Propose a phased approach or prioritize key deliverables.

  • Document agreements: Ensure all commitments are in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

How do you handle demanding clients? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
53 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Md.monjurul Mumin

    Chief Manager of Agrabad Branch at IFIC BANK PLC

    • Report contribution

    For any demanding client who wants to set unrealistic timelines, we need to:- 1. Dissect the client requirements on priority basis and offers the top urgent ones in the primary schedule. These must not be failed. 2. For secondary requirements, check whether we need to increase our resources or budget to meet the timeline. If it can be adjustable, we may ask the client the set of requirements of adjustments from my end and see whether they can catch up.

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    6
  • Contributor profile photo
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    Aarti Kapoor (she/her)

    Director - People Operations & Service Delivery- Strategy & Transformation II Six Sigma Black Belt Certified II IIM-I Alumni || Ex-Amazon || Ex-AmEx

    • Report contribution

    This sound familiar, and here's what i recommend - When clients push for unrealistic timelines, I focus on aligning their vision with feasible outcomes. First, I clarify team capacity and potential risks of rushed work to set boundaries. Next, I propose alternatives—like phased delivery or prioritizing core features—to maintain quality without compromising trust. Finally, I document timelines, scope, and approvals in writing to prevent miscommunication. Transparency and collaboration are key; it’s about partnership, not pressure.

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    5
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    Gauraav Ashok Parwanda

    Investor | Entrepreneur | Education Advocate | Visionary

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    In business, while we thrive on delivering results, sustainability and quality should never be compromised. Here’s how I navigate these conversations: Set Boundaries with Clarity Be upfront about what’s feasible. Rushing can lead to errors, inefficiencies, and long-term costs. Educate clients on the risks of pushing too hard. Offer Strategic Alternatives Instead of outright rejection, propose a phased approach or prioritize critical deliverables, while building trust & executing with excellence. Document Everything Verbal agreements fade, written ones don’t. Great partnerships are built on transparency and mutual respect. Sometimes, saying “no” (with a solution) earns more credibility than a reckless “yes.”

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    4
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    Contributor profile photo
    Samantha S.

    CRM TPA

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    1. Try to fact find the issues. 2. Manage expectation client 3. Buy some time internally to resolve internal issues/ external issues. 4. A good relationship with client sometimes helps to mitigate differences 5. Channel a discussion face to face 6. Document all agreed timelines and negotiated agreements 7. Push internal teams to get things done quicky settle loose ends. 8. Evaluate internal workflow to minimize rework

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    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Mark Hammond

    Retired team leader and investor, now focused on Investment advisory, trustee and chair of trustee roles.

    • Report contribution

    -understand your client's specific timelines and requirements -communicate clearly about any difficulties meeting their expectations -roll your sleeves up and do it yourself, if you believe that is the only way. (in my experience, you will develop a deeper relationship if they appreciate that you are really doing your best to help them meet their objectives)

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    3
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    Contributor profile photo
    Mohamed Abdel Aziz Helmy,MBA

    AVP Zone Head at Bank ABC

    • Report contribution

    I believe every situation has different materiality . Success is the best utilising our tools , especially letting my team understand the importance of Customer centric and doing action plan . Then we shall navigate 🧭 what is the time 🕰️ consuming in the process and approvals and do the best to finalise . Going forward , with the client after fulfilling the request then we can highlight that efficiency will increase when we have right span of time . Thank you The most important is the responsibility and ownership.

    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Mohammad Saeid Qadri

    Mohammad Saeid | VP - AI/ML Product | InsureTech | Insurance Domain Expert | Digital Transformation | Cybersecurity & Compliance at iAssist Innovations Labs #Ex-ICICI Lombard, #Ex-Tata AIG, #Ex-HDI-Magma #Ex-L&T GI

    • Report contribution

    1) Setting expectations should be 1st action 2) Breaking complete requirements into small phases and delivering according will keep clients engaged rather than letting them on long wait. The above step will divert the client from complete requirements to small pieces of deliveries

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    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Wagner Francioni de C. Gama

    Consultoria Financeira

    • Report contribution

    1. Understand the Client's Needs Grasp the Client's Requirements Comprehend the Client's Demands 2. Explain the Consequences Clarify the Outcomes Outline the Implications 3. Offer Alternatives Provide Other Options Suggest Different Approaches 4. Use Data and Examples Utilize Facts and Cases Employ Statistics and Instances 5. Negotiate Priorities Discuss Prioritization Bargain Project Focus Areas 6. Keep Communication Open Maintain Transparent Communication Ensure Ongoing Dialogue

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    2
  • Contributor profile photo
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    jaycelyn koh

    Operations Director

    • Report contribution

    1.Identify the reason of unreasonable timeline given. 2.Highlight possibilities. 3.Manage expectations and finding/propose best solution that Client could agree with. 4.Keep communications active. 5. Workout the best plan and timeline for the best outcome. 6. Execution and monitor closely to the end.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Pallav S.

    AMFI registered Mutual Fund Distributor I Helping HNIs & CXOs Create, Accumulate & Preserve Wealth | Elliott Wave + Astro-Finance Strategist | Trend Analysis for High-Accuracy Moves in Mutual Fund portfolios I

    • Report contribution

    This is a common challenge in businesses and should be dealt rationally by sharing following data points to the client through a formal channel. Ideally, one should be able to figure out one’s own delivery capabilities and compare that to prevalent timelines in the market by your competitors. This data should be presented to the client to give him a clear picture. The second data point should be the impact of quality on the clients project. Once you have these two data points you should be able to present a rational picture. And sharing your concerns through a formal channel also protects you from future liabilities.

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    2
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