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:
How do you handle demanding clients? Share your strategies.
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:
How do you handle demanding clients? Share your strategies.
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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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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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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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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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-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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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