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Last updated on Feb 1, 2025
  1. All
  2. Sales
  3. Client Relations

Your client wants radical changes to your product. How do you respond effectively?

When a client requests significant changes to your product, it's essential to balance their needs with your capabilities. Here's how to manage this effectively:

  • Listen actively: Understand the reasons behind their request and ask clarifying questions.

  • Offer alternatives: Suggest feasible modifications that align with your product's vision and resources.

  • Set clear expectations: Communicate timelines and potential impacts to ensure mutual understanding.

How have you successfully navigated similar client demands? Share your experiences.

Client Relations Client Relations

Client Relations

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Last updated on Feb 1, 2025
  1. All
  2. Sales
  3. Client Relations

Your client wants radical changes to your product. How do you respond effectively?

When a client requests significant changes to your product, it's essential to balance their needs with your capabilities. Here's how to manage this effectively:

  • Listen actively: Understand the reasons behind their request and ask clarifying questions.

  • Offer alternatives: Suggest feasible modifications that align with your product's vision and resources.

  • Set clear expectations: Communicate timelines and potential impacts to ensure mutual understanding.

How have you successfully navigated similar client demands? Share your experiences.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
29 answers
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    Shalu Vinod

    General Insurance Specialist @ PWS Gulf Insurance Brokers LLC | Helping Businesses Mitigate Risk & Secure Their Future | Leading with Vision | Elevating the standard in Insurance | Delivering Unparalleled Service |

    • Report contribution

    If my client requests radical changes to the product, I would first seek to understand the reasoning behind their request. Change is a natural part of growth, but not all changes are beneficial, so I’d evaluate whether they align with our long-term vision or risk deviating from our fundamental principles. I would listen to their needs, assess whether the changes are feasible, and determine if they align with our product’s capabilities. I’d offer insights to help them understand potential risks while exploring alternative solutions that meet their needs without compromising the product’s integrity. It’s about balancing adaptability with consistency for mutual benefit.

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    Morgan Grice

    Investment & Financial Planning | Tax-Efficient Bitcoin Investment Strategies | Wealth Management & Asset Protection for Expats | Bitcoin Offshore Investment Advisory | Expat Financial Advice

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    If a client wants major changes to their investment plan, I’d first check if I missed their needs initially. New ideas might stem from something they’ve read or a market dip. I’d revisit their long-term goals, then show the numbers relating to the current plan vs. their proposal, noting added risks. If they’re set on change, I’d suggest tweaking allocations while keeping the core solid. I’d highlight past successes with the current setup, ensuring they feel heard while guiding them with data. From my experience, I can always see how clients want to feel like partners, not pupils. Especially when it comes to something so personal like their family's financial situation and future.

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    André Luiz Villas Bôas e Silva

    CEO & Hospital General Manager • Leadership in Strategy, Innovation & Hospital Operations • Healthtechs, AI & Analytics • Advisory Board Member & Mentor in the Healthcare Ecosystem • Chief Visionary Officer

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    Quando um cliente solicita mudanças radicais, primeiro **ouço ativamente** para entender suas reais necessidades. Em vez de aceitar todas as solicitações, ofereço **alternativas viáveis** alinhadas à visão do produto e **estabeleço expectativas claras** sobre prazos e impactos. Já enfrentei pedidos de reformulação total, mas, após análise, identifiquei soluções mais enxutas que atenderam às demandas sem comprometer o roadmap. Esse equilíbrio fortalece a confiança e garante um desenvolvimento sustentável. Como você lida com mudanças significativas?

    Translated
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    Andrew Rumford, MBA

    Metocean Business Development Manager, Fugro, EUAF

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    If a client requests significant product changes, I first analyze their underlying pain points to understand the real challenge they’re facing. Clients may suggest solutions based on symptoms rather than root causes, so I engage in detailed discussions to identify inefficiencies, limitations, or unmet needs. I then assess whether their request aligns with our long-term vision and product capabilities. If the change introduces risks or disrupts core functionality, I provide insights on potential drawbacks and explore alternative solutions that address their concerns without compromising quality. The goal is to balance adaptability with stability, ensuring sustainable value for both the client and the product.

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    Shashank Thapliyal

    A leader focused on Client Success, Cyber Security Advisor, GenAI, Global Alliances and Partnerships, Corporate Affairs, E-governance, and a Sales Professional

    • Report contribution

    Understand what the client want. Listen to him emphatically. Note all the requirements. Provide couple of solutions aligned to his requirement. Let him know what more he has asked for against the standard products you offer. Let him know the costs of modification. If he is amongst a couple of others having similar requirements globally, let him know that you can proceed only if similar requirement comes from many other customers globally as we can't put a whole lot of R&D, production of development team for a few numbers, instead of lots across the globe. Let him know the financial implications as well. Give him a lot of details in line with the above so that he feels the work going behind on his requirement.

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    1
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    TRUPANGI NIMAVAT

    LinkedIn Strategist | LinkedIn Expert | Organic Growth Specialist | Ghostwriting | Growth Enabler | Digital Innovator

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    When a client requests radical changes, listen actively to understand their needs. Offer thoughtful alternatives that align with your product vision while ensuring feasibility. Collaboration fosters innovation and long-term success.

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    Ahmed Hassanein

    B2C & B2B Sales _CRM _ Clients Success _ Accounts Management _ Logistics _ Saas || Ex ILLA _ Ex Fetchr _ Ex G Express

    (edited)
    • Report contribution

    To respond effectively to a client requesting radical product changes, follow these steps: 1. Understand Their Needs – Engage in detailed discussions to uncover their core pain points and objectives. 2. Assess Feasibility – Evaluate technical, financial, and operational impacts before committing to changes. 3. Offer Strategic Alternatives – Suggest solutions that align with their goals while maintaining product integrity. 4. Set Clear Expectations – Communicate realistic timelines, costs, and potential risks associated with the changes. 5. Ensure Mutual Benefit – Align modifications with long-term value for both the client and your business.

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    Pranali Sakpal

    Senior Digital Marketer at All In Motion | Transforming Insights into Action

    • Report contribution

    When a client asks for big changes, I don’t just say yes or no—I ask questions and the reason. Understanding their needs helps us find the best solution, whether it’s adapting or guiding them toward a better option. It’s all about collaboration, not just taking requests.

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    Naseela Naz

    Financial Advisor

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    I often meet clients who initially seek one type of financial solution but later realize they need a completely different approach. Instead of just saying yes to every request, I focus on understanding their real concerns. By asking the right questions, I help them see what aligns with their goals while setting clear expectations on feasibility, timelines, and long-term impact. Sometimes, a radical change isn’t what they truly need—just a better-structured plan. It’s all about guiding them toward the right decision with transparency and expertise.

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    Jered C.

    Especialista de Atracción de Talento y Cultura Empresarial

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    In my experience, the key to managing significant change requests from a client is to combine empathy, clear communication, and collaboration. To handle it effectively, I first clarify the request by asking for details to understand the "why" behind the change. Often, clients do not fully understand the implications of their requests. Then, instead of agreeing immediately, I propose alternatives that are feasible within the product or suggest smaller changes that save time and resources. It's also important to manage expectations by clearly communicating the scope, timelines, and risks, especially if the changes could affect the user experience.

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