So you have a big project in the works. You’re excited about it and anxious for the growth in your business. You’ve outlined the plan, created a strategy for success and maybe even built your team. But then the problems start. Your project isn’t working out as you expected and everything seems to be going wrong.
It happens. Some of the projects you may be most excited about don’t work out the way you’d planned. How you handle the situation may mean the difference between failure and success. Here are some tips to stay in control when everything seems to be going wrong.
1. Damage Control
Sometimes something that feels like a big disaster isn’t as terrible as it may seem. For example, a freelancer may miss a deadline and that missed deadline pushes everything else back. This means your launch date is now in jeopardy. Damage control is the key here.
Work with your freelancer to complete the project asap. In some cases this may mean that you have to take over the project or find a new freelancer. Once you have a new deadline, take a look at all subsequent steps and deadlines. Where do you have wiggle room? Can you ask another contractor to turn around their project more quickly?
A rush fee may be worth considering to meet your launch date. The important thing to remember is that acting quickly and looking for solutions is the foundation of damage control. All hope is not lost.
2. Got lemons? Turn them into lemonade!
How often have you received an email from a company with an apology? Do you open those emails? They tend to have extremely high open rates. If you’re unable to meet a promised launch date or you or a freelancer has made a mistake, turn the mistake into an opportunity.
For example, if you promised to release a book by the first of the month and it’s delayed a month, whip up a free report or provide a coupon for your other products to make amends. It may actually increase your overall profits, and your customers are likely to appreciate the effort.
3. Know when to quit
Sometimes things just don’t work out and the more you try to force it, the worse it gets. In many cases it’s important to take a step back and evaluate the situation. Why are things going wrong? Is it worth the continued efforts or is it time to fold? Failure is a part of business success. The important thing is to learn from failure and to avoid making the same mistakes again.
When everything seems to be falling apart, remember to take a deep breath. Relax. Assess the project from a logical perspective rather than an emotional one. Yes, you are passionate about your business. However, you are also separate from your business. That distinction will help you make the best decisions.