Trust Your INstincts

I've had two situations recently where a client was about head down a track that I thought was not such a great idea and I found myself in a tricky situation; do I tell them how bad their idea is, or do I try to make lemonade?

The first time I took the easy way out, I provided other ideas and encouraged them to think about their options instead of rushing in with the current "winner". It worked, but it almost didn't. I was discussing it with a friend of mine she said, "but this is why they've come to you, so you can tell them something isn't going to work. You should have told them how bad that idea was."

She had a point but I didn't want to offend a client, I felt that in a roundabout way I had let them know the idea wasn't gold in my opinion. But should I have taken a stronger stance? What would I have done if they had decided to run with the original plan?

Later on I found myself in a similar situation, where a client's enthusiasm for a bad idea put me in a spot of bother, I took more decisive action; I told them about the wasted opportunity if they continued down that track and gave them alternative ideas. I figured that if I presented things professionally, they would understand.

And they did! 

It's hard trying to sidestep other people's ideas without upsetting them, but I have to trust my professional instincts and give the client alternative ideas. It's what I'm there for.

Until next time...
Fx