On behalf of the management of WesTrac, I would like to thank you and your team for the valuable assistance given to us in determining the content and facilitating the cultural integration sessions that took place as a result of a new business acquisition. We have had a lot of positive feedback from both the management of WesTrac and the newly acquired employees
Dealing with Difficult Clients Training Course
Our ‘Dealing With Difficult Clients’ course helps you to figure out the best strategy to manage angry clients. Maybe they have good reason to be angry? Maybe their anger is unjustified, and they just like “having a go” at your people? Your clients might have a big ego and a culture of entitlement.
One consideration is to drop the client. Another option is to train the client. You explain the rules of engagement. They don’t have a right to be obstinate to your staff. They don’t have a right to shout at your staff.
And then this workshop shows you proven tools to deal with angry clients professionally. You can turn an angry client into a loyal client with some clever tips and tactics.
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Key Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of these tailored ‘Dealing with Difficult Clients’ sessions, participants will be able to:
- Correctly identify and label the type of anger
- Practice active listening and questioning techniques
- Use the 5 Why’s to understand the root cause of the problem
- Use strategic interruptions to target venting
- Redirect client anger towards a solution
- Communicate that you are accountable and take ownership of the problem
- Decide the correct time to put forward a “fix it” plan
- Understand the halo effect and the laws of attraction
- Build a service recovery plan
- Position client centric services
- Understand how to influence different generations and personalities
- Understand the impacts of client’s attitude, beliefs, values and expectations
- Understand client intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence
- Keep solutions inside the client’s zones of tolerance
- Use NLP techniques to promote a sense of understanding
- Substitute words that cause unnecessary tensions and build in positive reinforcement.
- Create behavioural boundaries even when it seems impossible
- Create long term client relationships
Course Description
Clients often get angry and difficult when they perceive a service failure. The unfortunate thing is that the service failure does not even need to be real. If your client thinks it's real, then it's real. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities with difficult clients if you manage them instead of reacting to them.
The costs of an angry and difficult client
- Time and emotional cost reacting to the perceived problem
- Resources allocated to fixing the problem, which may not actually be the problem
- Higher staff turnover as angry clients shred employee loyalty
- Less engaged staff and lower motivational levels
- Client fees are often discounted to soothe the anger
- Bad WOM - In your industry, you can't afford this
The benefits of redirecting the anger
- Instead of being the target, you redirect the anger to the real problem
- Improved client loyalty if you create a successful service recovery
- Positive WOM and referral opportunities
- Work flows are more streamlined and not bouncing from conflict to conflict
- Maintain long term client relationships
4 reasons to choose this 'Dealing with Difficult Clients' in-house program for your staff
- An angry, difficult client creates negative word of mouth
- Difficult clients are often less profitable due to the amount of concessions they get
- Your people may lose an opportunity as they were too busy fixing the problem
- Clients love alternative solutions - they save face and you get new business
Key 'Dealing with Difficult Clients' Workshop Content:
- Correctly identify and label the type of anger
- Practice active listening and questioning techniques
- Use the 5 Why’s to understand the root cause of the problem
- Use strategic interruptions to target venting
- Redirect client anger towards a solution
- Communicate that you are accountable and take ownership of the problem
- Decide the correct time to put forward a "fix it" plan
- Understand the halo effect and the laws of attraction
- Build a service recovery plan
- Position client centric services
- Understand how to influence different generations and personalities
- Understand the impacts of client’s attitude, beliefs, values and expectations
- Understand client intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence
- Keep solutions inside the client’s zones of tolerance
- Use NLP techniques to promote a sense of understanding
- Substitute words that cause unnecessary tensions and build in positive reinforcement.
- Create behavioural boundaries even when it seems impossible
The Nuts and Bolts of our 'Dealing with Difficult Clients' Course
This 'Dealing with Difficult Clients' program can be conducted as an in-house training at your organisation or virtually.Guidelines
- Group Size: An ideal group size is 5–9 participants.
Venue: For your convenience, you can choose to conduct this program at your offices. Alternatively, we can provide a training venue at a small additional cost.
- Duration: Each session can be modified to your timeframe.
- Cost: Upon request.
- Target Audience: Managers and staff dealing with difficult clients.

Australia-wide training courses and workshops
At Preferred Training Networks, we provide both in-person and online training programs for a wide range of organisations across Australia. Our Dealing with Difficult Clients Training Course is run by experienced, qualified experts and tailored to the needs of your business and your employees. Our leadership and management education courses are designed to help your team thrive and develop valuable skills that can transform your workplace.
With programs available in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and other areas of Australia, we’re able to help businesses across the country create lasting behavioural change and provide them with the tools they need to reach new heights. If you think your business would benefit from Dealing with Difficult Clients Training Course and the help of our professional coaching network, take the first step and contact our team today. Wherever you are in Australia, our coaching program can either come to your organisation or we organise a venue for your convenience. Find out what our training, workshops and skills courses can do for your business and reap the benefits for years to come.
Get your free online quote right now or give us a call on 1300 323 752 to find out more about Preferred Training Networks and discuss your requirements with us.