1-Assess Impact: Evaluate severity, identify root causes. 2-Develop Contingency Plan: Re-evaluate timeline, explore alternatives, communicate with stakeholders. 3-Prioritize Tasks: Focus on critical tasks, delegate effectively, eliminate non-essential tasks. 4-Leverage External Resources: Seek outside expertise, utilize technology. 5-Maintain Open Communication: Keep stakeholders informed, address concerns promptly, build trust. 6-Learn from the Experience: Conduct post-mortem, implement improvements.

When unexpected setbacks arise in a technical sales project (as they do), I try to ensure deadlines are met by focusing on being proactive and clearly communicating to the stakeholders involved. - Speed is key: I assess the scope of the setback as soon as possible, identify the most critical tasks, and then break down the project into manageable chunks. If I'm leading a team, I try to delegate those chunks to get the problem resolved ASAP. - I immediately inform stakeholders - both clients and internal teams - of any adjustments in timelines or deliverables. This helps maintain trust. - It all comes down to adaptability, collaboration, and a focus on the bigger picture.

Identify Risks and Mitigate Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential future roadblocks. Develop contingency plans to mitigate or avoid anticipated risks. As suggested in Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It, use calibrated questions to surface hidden risks. Meeting deadlines despite setbacks requires diligent re-planning, proactive communication, smart resource allocation, and laser focus on essential deliverables. Being transparent, aligning stakeholders, and mitigating risks is also crucial for overcoming challenges.

Assess - Every problem is unique, and it's important to gain clarity before moving forward. We strive to address the root cause rather than apply temporary fixes. Communicate - Share insights and roadblocks with the team and stakeholders so that everyone is on the same page. Take Action - Effectively address the problem and implement a lasting solution.