Your client keeps derailing meetings. How can you regain control and steer them back on track?

You may take back control of meetings and help your customer get back on track by: Clearly define the goals and agenda for the meeting. Set ground rules and expectations for the meeting in advance. Give each agenda item a time restriction. Return the discussion to the agenda with grace. Promote involvement while maintaining the focus of the conversation. To strengthen accountability, follow up with meeting summaries and action items.

Listen actively Take notes Wait for next call or opportunity Summarize their thoughts, discussions and asks Pick top 3 items to focus on Provide rationale on why these are your top 3 and why it is aligned to their immediate goals Expand each item and take if for detailed discussion as planned

Send the agenda, meeting purpose, and expected outcome to your client before the meeting and ask for confirmation to ensure you are aligned. If your client would like to include other purposes, outcomes, and or agenda, you will know it ahead of time and decide if you need a separate, additional meeting.

Yes giving ultimatum on your time always works! If the client doesn't seem to understand that, charging for that session is very valid

The best way to handle a challenging client is to establish your golden rules and desired behaviors before the session begins. This often underestimated practice is crucial and can make or break your program. Ensure you set these expectations during your first encounter!

- Active listening cues: Watch for body language shifts, hesitations, or changes in tone. These can signal underlying concerns. - Clarifying questions: Ask open-ended questions to gently draw out unspoken thoughts and ensure understanding. - Acknowledge and address: Validate their concerns and address them directly before moving forward.

- Pre-circulate agenda & talking points: Clients arrive prepared and focused with clear expectations. - Timeboxing techniques: Use timers for each topic to gently nudge conversation back on track. - Flexible follow-up: Offer dedicated time to address sidetracked points without derailing the meeting.

At the start of the meeting, review basic ground rules such as staying on topic, respecting speaking time, and saving unrelated issues for later. Emphasize the importance of sticking to the schedule to respect everyone's time.

If your client keeps derailing meetings, you can regain control and steer them back on track by utilizing visuals. Try preparing a clear agenda with key points and share it at the beginning of the meeting. Use slides, charts, or diagrams to highlight important topics and keep the discussion focused. Visual aids can help illustrate complex ideas and maintain engagement. Refer back to the visuals when the conversation strays, gently guiding your client back to the main topics. This structured approach helps keep meetings productive and on track.

Send out a recap of the meeting with key points discussed, decisions made, and action items. This provides a clear reference and reinforces the agenda. Clearly outline next steps and responsibilities to ensure follow-through.

If your clients insist on addressing issues that were not on the agenda or do not fall under the agreed-upon meeting purpose, use the "parking lot" technique in which you keep the meeting on track, while not ignoring your client's needs. By putting that particular topic in the hypothetical parking lot, you are 'parking' it for later, while focus on the meeting purpose and outcome