Designers Advised on Blunting Anger of Clients When
Mistakes Occur
How often have you heard the phrase, “It’s nothing
personal?”
However, when dealing with the kitchen and bathroom two critical
parts of a client’s home even minor problems are often taken quite
personally. It’s easy, for example, for the slightest mistake on
the part of a designer, dealer, cabinet shop or installer to
generate anger, insults, shouting, threats and more.
Naturally, since kitchen and bath specialists rely on clients
for referrals, it’s best to stay on a friendly basis. What follows
are some handy tips to help defuse client anger and solve
client-related problems successfully:
- Do not meet anger with anger. Anger only builds when it’s met
with anger. It dissipates when it has nothing to smash against.
Remember, it’s only business. Your aggrieved clients are angry
because it’s personal to them. They’ll no doubt want to express
that anger. Let them vent. The sooner you can get them to think
about it rationally, and not emotionally, the quicker you’ll arrive
at a solution. - Agree with the client on any point, no matter how trivial. Even
if it’s to say, “I understand how you feel Mrs. Witherbottom. I’d
feel the same way if I thought such a thing had happened in my
kitchen,” agreement defuses the anger. Part of the emotional weight
of the moment is the client’s need to show that his or her reaction
is justified. Agreement on your point provides this justification
and can do a lot to calm the situation and turn it to a rational
conclusion. - Write down the problem. Tell your angry client, “Let me get
this in writing,” and write down what the person has to say. This
demonstrates to the angry client that you’re taking the problem
very seriously. Second, it slows down the situation considerably.
Your client will calm down and speak slower, to be sure that you
are writing things down correctly. Ever try to be angry slower? It
can’t be done.
A third benefit to writing down the problem is that it forces
clients to reassess the problem more logically. Instead of just
complaining vaguely about the cabinet finish, or the appliances, or
the installation job, they’ll want to tell you specifically what
they don’t like. In doing so, the problem will usually become
clearer, and a solution will present itself. - Recap the problem aloud and make sure there are no hidden
problems. This demonstrates that you’ve understood fully what the
problem is and are acting in good faith. You’re not trying to
minimize or dismiss your client’s concerns. This also avoids
misunderstandings later. - Take responsibility. This is especially important for your
employees. Nothing is more infuriating than telling someone about a
problem and having them reply “That’s not my job,” or “You’ll have
to talk to the boss.” Encourage employees to take responsibility
and empower them to solve simple problems on site. Even if they
cannot answer the question or make the adjustment, they must say
something like “I will personally make sure this gets done,” or the
client’s anger will build up again. - Negotiate a solution. Don’t just dictate what you will or won’t
do. Say frankly, “What do you think would be a fair solution to the
problem?” Stay focused on specific aspects of the client’s problem,
and never lose sight of common ground. You both have as your goal a
room that your client will be happy with, and you need to make it
clear you’re making a good-faith effort to get there together.