How do you handle a client who disagrees with your presentation?

It is very common, to the point of almost being normal, for a client on first contact to reveal (accidentally) that the problem they are facing, is not the one they think it is. Therefore my advice is to go in with answers to the meeting's subject matter, but be prepared and open to the possibility/likelihood that the real problem is actually something else. Treat the first few meetings with any new client as exploratory; as if you are a doctor with the patient complaining of being short of breath. You might go in thinking that you should check their heart and lungs, but realise on seeing them that they need to be put on a diet and a regime of exercise. You have one mouth and two ears, so listen twice as much as you talk.

Being right is overrated - be strategic. Handle client disagreements about your presentation 3 ways: 1. Unless the disagreement impugns the integrity of your work, thank the client for the feedback and move on. Don’t let the penchant for being right derail an entire presentation. 2. Repeat back the client’s concern so it's clear to everyone what the problem is. When it's said aloud, the client often realizes its flaw (and figure out on their own you're right). Now, summarize your (earlier) points and confirm agreement. 3. Focus on the solution to show you put the client’s needs first and are doing your best to keep them happy. Sometimes, that could lead to a delayed deliverable & the client voluntarily opts not to pursue the disagreement!

First, tell them you appreciate their willingness to contribute to the discussion. Ask questions to further understand how they came to their position on the topic. You might learn something. Then let them know how you came to your position. Identify what is the same, if possible and what you see about their position that make sense to you. Then simply let them know that your respect and honor the differences you have.

"Everybody has an opinion" - never forget that, and not all of them will agree with what you have to say. So what do you do? especially during or after you have spoken. Acknowledging their perspective is a good place to start, try not to dismiss, argue or ignore their point. A great way to open the conversation is by saying "I appreciate your concern or I can understand where you are coming from" - This brings recognition of their views. Once you have done that you can now begin to breakdown how they came to their way of thinking whilst at the same time re-affirming your points should it be relevant.

This is where it's always critical to get back to the big picture, to the core "why" behind it all. Often when you restate and realign on the goals, to the point of a few other posters here, you'll realize what they're really looking for and can often find other paths to reach that goal. But also, in aligning with the goal, you can often find ways to show that you are all aligned to the same goal - whether that is engagement, or a metric, or just their overall satisfaction. In doing so, they will be more likely to accept specific expectations that cannot be met, when they are reminded that they and you are aligned to the same overall big-picture result.

When a client disagrees with your presentation, it's crucial to stay calm and open-minded. Listen actively to their concerns, seek to understand their perspective, and address specific points of disagreement with clear explanations or alternative solutions. Collaboration and flexibility can help find common ground and ensure a positive outcome.

Having worked with a significant amount of clients, it's quite often about understanding their concerns and problems they have. It maybe they are conditioned to a certain style, unsure on what the message is OR have internal political concerns they are trying to manage. From here it's then about working together on a solution meeting the outcome required, whilst being flexible to the situation.

Handle a client's disagreement by clarifying the problem. For example, you could say, "I understand there's a concern about [specific issue]. Can you provide more details on what aspects are causing hesitation?" This demonstrates your commitment to understanding their perspective and resolving issues. Through clarification, you pinpoint the exact source of disagreement, paving the way for a focused and constructive discussion. For instance, if the client disagrees with the proposed timelines, ask for specific objections or constraints to tailor solutions accordingly. This targeted approach facilitates better communication and increases the likelihood of finding a mutually satisfactory resolution.

Ask them what their concerns are. Listen carefully to what they say. Them say, "let me check that I understand you correctly"... and then restate their concern in your own words.

The vast amount of time its a missed expectation that causes the problem. Dive into the detail as to where the issues lie. (It maybe something completely outside of the project).

Clearing things up, giving more details and examples through stories can help others understand your perspective. Going over and addressing each issue raised in opposition can help others better understand your point of view. Again, keep things cordial and respectful and encourage additional questions to assure clarity in understanding your perspective.

Appreciate and acknowledge his disagreements. It's not easy on the other side to be frank and open on disagreeing. Then consider his points of view and see how the two sides could meet without compromising our own standpoints. Be flexible and be constructive in reaching solutions with the other party.

The reframe requires your client to adopt a new perspective. But they're likely to double down on their own perspective that would be the basis of their disagreement. So try this move: change your perspective so you can see theirs. If you do it sincerely, reciprocity will make it more likely to lead them to see yours.

To deal with clients disagreement, first thing you need is patience to hear all their points. Understanding clients perspective is very important to reframe and pitch your proposal again. Remember to add their points while pitching and connected to your solution. It will help them to believe you've got their points and prioritising to give a solution genuinely.

A good way to handle a client's disagreement is by reframing the situation. For example, say something like, "I appreciate your perspective. Let's reframe this challenge as an opportunity to [highlight positive aspects]." Let's say, for instance, if a client objects to project costs, then reframe it as an investment in quality that ensures long-term success. This puts on a positive spin by acknowledging their concerns while shifting focus towards beneficial outcomes. By reframing, you guide the conversation towards shared goals and showcase your adaptability, cultivating a more collaborative and constructive atmosphere.

To address objections, listen clearly and document their concerns. Indicate you’ve noted their points and will take them back to your team to troubleshoot. Present revised solutions in your next presentation.

In a group presentation one should have a champion whom you can count on in these scenarios. Call upon them and ask them to address the objection of their colleague. They will most likely have thoughts but would appreciate the opening to be able to speak. They will often help your case and take the pressure off a "one on one" type conversation.

I would lead with 'What is your real challenge here?' The invitation can bring in more reflections and musings. Building on what is emerging works more than preparing 'clever' strategies to bulldoze a client into agreement Once the challenges are acknowledged, discussed, aired and allowed room and necessary resolutions created, client feels the choice in the path forward. You would earn their permanent trust as a, result of this process

You can handle a client's disagreement by addressing objections. For instance, you could say something like, "I understand your concerns about [issue]. To address this, we can [provide solution]." Take for example, if a client questions a project timeline, then you would propose a detailed schedule to alleviate any worries or concerns. By directly acknowledging objections and offering solutions, you demonstrate responsiveness and a commitment to finding mutually beneficial resolutions, cultivating trust and collaboration.

As any client 'objection' is an opportunity to explore an alternate angle, I coach my @GetUNstuckNOW Breakthrough coaching clients to harness this strategy, in the moment: Prompt the client to relate what they said... directly to what was just presented. It might sound like: "... as we value your interest in X... do continue on that (what they just said), as related to this (what you presented). What happens next: If they do choose to continue (now with relevance), everyone can harness what serves best: their view, yours, or a combo of both views. Otherwise, offer them an opportunity to discuss it with you at a break.

By initially agreeing with the clients to a certain extent, you can establish a sense of understanding and rapport. Subsequently, presenting supporting facts and your perspective, along with providing verification and evidence, can strengthen your argument. Additionally, being open to amending your argument to accommodate their point of view demonstrates flexibility and a willingness to find common ground. Overall, this approach can contribute to productive discussions with clients.

To handle client disagreement, seek a mutual agreement. For example, you could say something such as, "Let's identify common ground. We both aim for [shared goal]. How can we align our perspectives to achieve this?" Take for instance, if a client questions a marketing approach, then you should emphasize shared objectives like increasing brand visibility. Seeking common goals cultivates collaboration, redirecting the discussion toward mutual benefits and bridging gaps in understanding.

You both want to reach common ground. It might take a bit of time to get to it but the end goal is always common ground. So look into what you both like the sound of and then work on developing it. You'll find you can be more persuasive on other points when you focus on the common ground first.

Ask what the client wants. If they didn't like your presentation, ask them what parts stood out as sticking points. If you don't know the answer, tell them you will get back to them, and ensure you do. This is a relationship, and communication is the most important thing to make the relationship work. You could be talking a completely different language figuratively.

Be prepared to compromise. After all unless they are complete idiots (which can happen) or you have missed the real requirement (and yes that happens to), figure out the best way to get to agreement if not on everything - at least get to some common ground.

Among anything else, you need to understand why they disagree. You need to listen to their reasoning for the disagreement. Truly listen. Until you don’t understand why, you can’t do anything about it. Sometimes, the content, the presenter or the solution aren’t the right fit for the audience and that’s fine. Use the opportunity to learn and if you can’t handle the disagreement at that moment, ask the customer to an opportunity to come back to them later with the right answer or solution. Feedback is the opportunity you have to learn. I prefer to present to someone that openly disagrees with me and is willing to help me understand why than to do it for someone that sits quiet the whole time, thanks me for the presentation and moves on.

The best thing I did for my public speaking career was learn to not take things personally. As a public speaker, you will often be faced with topics and themes that attract controversy. Your audience may not always agree with you but your response to their opinions will determine whether they respect you as a speaker or not.

My philosophy is, when a client disagrees with you, it is for a reason. Whether you understand it or not at the time. They did not wake up in the morning and decide to ruin your day. Either your solution is not fitting at the moment so go back to the drawing board. Maybe they missed something so provide clarity. Your objective is to understand where the disagreement stems from. We are all someone's customer/client. Go back to when you disagreed with your provider.

Handling a client who disagrees with your presentation requires a diplomatic and solution-oriented approach. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. Stay Calm and Listen 2. Seek Understanding 3. Empathize 4. Highlight Common Ground 5. Present Alternative Solutions 6. Educate and Clarify 7. Focus on Objectives 8. Propose a Collaborative Approach 9. Offer a Follow-Up 10. Maintain Professionalism. Remember, disagreements are a natural part of business interactions, and handling them with tact and professionalism can lead to stronger client relationships and improved outcomes.

I always have at least one in person or zoom meeting, usually several conversations, before any agreement. Work really hard to ensure everyone has the same goals and intentions. Then, since I customize every speech, I stay in contact with the client letting them know what direction I'm heading and what ideas I have. Finally, on the day of the event, I inform them of my travel time and expected eta so they don't have to worry about me. All of this mitigates most possible disagreements or issues. Don't be afraid to over communicate. ????