As a business owner, you know that sometimes things come up that prevent you from meeting a customer deadline. Maybe there was an unexpected delay in getting the product or service finished, or maybe your team just got swamped with work. Whatever the reason, pushing back a customer deadline can be tricky business. You don’t want to upset them and lose their business, but you also don’t want them to feel like they’re being ignored or getting something that appears rushed. So, let’s discuss some of the most tactful ways to push back deadlines without upsetting your customers. Best Ways to Push Back Client Deadlines and Still Make Customers Happy One way to push back a deadline without upsetting your customer is to provide them with regular updates. Let them know what’s going on and why the deadline can’t be met. Customers appreciate transparency, and they’ll be more understanding if they know what’s going on. You should keep lines of communication open and stay in touch regularly. Don’t make the mistake of updating your client once and then going silent – it will only cause more problems. Missing a deadline is something that happens even to the best of us. Whether you got sick and couldn’t finish your tasks on time or the project took you much longer than expected, one thing is clear – you’re about to miss the deadline and need to communicate it to the client. —Simone Smith on Brain Leaf Another way to push back a deadline without upsetting your customer is to offer them a discount or some other type of compensation. This shows that you value their business and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to make up for any inconvenience. This doesn’t have to be a deep price reduction, but enough to show him or her you’re aware of their time and budget and are appreciative of their patience. Finally, one of the best ways to retain customers even when deadlines can’t be met is to provide excellent customer service. Be responsive, friendly, and helpful, and try to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. If you make an effort to take care of your customers, they’ll be more likely to stick with you even when things don’t go according to plan. Pushing back customer deadlines can be a delicate process, but if you handle it tactfully, you can retain your customers and keep them happy. By following these tips, you’ll be able to push back deadlines without upsetting your clients. It is of utmost importance to be honest with your customers, be upfront as soon as the situation changes, and be willing to accept some criticism. If you handle the circumstances with professionalism and tactfully, they’ll be far more willing to accommodate you and will greatly appreciate your candor. What other suggestions would you make about dealing with pushing client deadlines back without angering them? Please, take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

If you’re anything like the average person, your parents probably instilled in you the courtesy to apologize. Saying you’re sorry is one of the most important keystones of polite society. So, it should definitely not come as a surprise that very politeness eventually turns into second nature compulsion. In fact, people use the phrase way too often and don’t really think about its effects. Now, in purely interpersonal situations, this is probably quite benign. But, when you’re running a business, this habit could cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. Apologizing isn’t Always Positive Of course, there have been academic studies confirming that apologizing too much tends to have adverse outcomes. It not only shows a willingness to capitulate, but it also underscores an underlying weakness. Furthermore, the same studies reveal that it can cause anger or resentment in others – two emotions you definitely want to avoid, if at all possible. After you hurt someone’s feelings or do something wrong, it turns out that saying sorry might not be the best solution. In fact, an apology might just add fuel to the fire, a recent study by researchers from Dartmouth College and the University of Texas has found. —Entrepreneur.com Apologizing too much doesn’t always result in dire circumstances. But, it may also easily create the impression that you’ll simply go along to get along no matter what. In other words, give the impression your preference is to avoid any and all confrontation, because it is too uncomfortable for you to handle. Obviously, none of these things are good for an entrepreneur, but this doesn’t mean you have to be stubborn, obtuse, or even mean. 3 Alternatives to Saying your Sorry When you apologize, you’re not only relating your own disposition, you’re sending signals to the other person or group of people. Fortunately, there are at least three handy phrases you can use in place of saying you’re sorry or apologizing outright: “I appreciate your patience.” Whether you’re late for an appointment or something is taking longer than it should have, save the apology and use this phrase instead. It has the same effect that you’re looking for but doesn’t put the blame solely on you and compliments the other person. “Thank you for working with me.” This is a great alternative when things aren’t going according to plan. In a sense, you’re still apologizing, but you are not doing so directly, and again you are giving the other person a nice compliment. “Here’s a slightly different perspective.” Rather than blurting out an apology for something you haven’t said yet, use this expression to bolster your credibility and get people to actually listen to what you have to say. This is a terrific way to join in on a conversation or to bring your point of view up. What other suggestions do you have for apology alternatives? Please, take a few moments to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.