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The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men . . .

What ever the event is; all the planning and preparation in the world can still leave you holding the short end of the stick! It isn't so much how you ended up where you are at this point that matters, as how you handle the situation now that you are there!

I am not talking about the time you stuck your foot in your mouth when you asked an old friend you haven't seen in years when the baby is due . . .  just to find out she isn't expecting; well not entirely anyway. I am talking about all the times you may have fallen a little short in the eyes of your customers. We have all been there at one time or another. For what-ever reason something has happened that threatens our relationship with one or more of our customers. They are not happy with our products or services. What now!?

The worst thing you can do is absolutely nothing. In doing nothing you are allowing them to let their imagination run wild. Now keep in mind that from their point of view they could not have possibly done anything wrong or misunderstood anything you may have said to them. Before you know it you will wind up in a web of stories that has you cast as the big bad wolf!

You don't have to bend too far over backwards to please them, just treat them with the dignity and respect with which you would want to be treated. When someone feels that they did not receive what they were promised; they feel vulnerable. You have to admit that is a pretty miserable state of mind to be in.

They want resolution, not necessarily their way. Very often you can take control of the situation and resolve the issue by following these steps:

1. Admit your fault to the limit of your involvement.
   • If you made a mistake face up to it.
2. Explain the cause, without assigning blame.
   • If they made a mistake, present it to them in a way that allows them an out.
3. Offer one or more solutions to the problem.
   • Let them know you are willing to "set things right".
4. Above all be honest.

It is just as important to realize that you will not be able to resolve every issue. There are some people out there that are just plain crabby! Whether it is the result of their bunions acting up, or their regular state of mind; it just doesn't matter. Nothing you do or say will suffice. Cut your losses and send them on their way, and do it with a smile.

Very often it isn't the fact that our products or services didn't measure up that cause a customer to go to the competition, it is how we handle the situation. There is no sin in admitting that we are less than perfect. Failure, or near failure is nothing more than an opportunity rise to the challenge and and save our customer from a situation they do not want to be in.

• Marketing Management
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• & More!

We are a full service Marketing Firm. From creating a marketing plan to layout, design, and seemless execution, our goal is to help you make the most out of your marketing!

Some of Our Current
Clients

• 3-D CNC *
• ATHC
• BigBoysBid.com
• Dominion Realty
• Fitzloff Photography
• Szachowicz, MD - Facial Plastic Surgery*
• Girl Scouts Peacepipe Council*
• Gull Lake Campground
• Hutch Sport Shop
• Innovative Audio Inc.
• Jay Malone Motors
• Marceau Drafting
• McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence*
• Minnesota Valley Investments
• Name Your Frame & Photography*
• Oakdale Golf Club
• Peterson Juergensen
  Hemmerick & Co.
  (In development)
• Picture the Pages
• Platinum Media Design*
• Professional Training Services
• Rental Link.com *
• Schweiss Bifold Doors*
• SpamKillerNow.com
• Storms Welding

Note: Clients without a link are
under construction.

*Denotes Clients using our hosting services for websites previously designed with another developer.

Get to Know Your Neighbors*

P&D Builders   Local builders highly skilled in Remodeling, New Construction, and Commercial construction. Visit their website and view the gallery showing some of their impressive work.

Additional Links of Interest *

Worldbook Encyclopedia  This website offers you a variety of information, of course you will get the most out of it by subscribing.

NASA for Kids   This is a great site geared towards kids and their interests in outer space.

* By providing these links we are not endorsing the services or products being offered. We are only offering links to other websites that may be of interest to you.

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