It’s become one of the most recognized scenes in the world.
Morpheus offers Neo the choice of a blue pill or a red pill.
“You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”
Morpheus knew he couldn’t make the decision for Neo. He hoped Neo would choose the red pill. But it’s Neo’s life and he had to make the choice. Neo had to be committed to the decision in order to succeed.
There will be times when, like Morpheus, the best course of action will be to ask your client to choose.
Problems Arise
It’s said that problems are opportunities. And in agencies, there are plenty of opportunities to go around.
Circumstances change … like weather for an outdoor shoot … or the approved talent is no longer available.
Unforeseen things arise … like a team member out ill … or a shipment not arriving on time.
There are many things out of our control that can create a new problem opportunity.
There is Not Always an Obvious Solution
When problems do rear their ugly head, much time and energy is spent internally discussing the situation … considering all the options … all in an effort to present the best solution to the client.
But sometimes there is not a solution that fits within the parameters of the project. It may solve one problem, but require a deadline extension. Or it may cost more than the budget. Or the quality may be a little lower.
The team debates the best course of action, assuming they know best.
It’s usually not a life or death situation, but it can mean the life or death of the project … or ultimately the account.
Let the Client Choose
In this situation, it’s best to follow Morpheus’ lead and let the client decide. After all, he knows better than you if the flexibility lies more with the deadline, the budget or the quality.
There are pluses and minuses with each option, and like Neo, the client is the one who has the most to gain or lose … and the client needs to be committed to the final decision.
Don’t Overwhelm With Too Many Options
But keep in mind, offering the client too many options can lead to decision paralysis. The team should determine the two best case scenarios to offer the client, each one providing a solid solution.
Explain the pros and cons of each option. Point out where the solutions fall outside the original project scope.
And let your client be the hero who chooses between the blue pill and the red pill. He will make the right choice … and then he will be committed to the new course. And both of you will succeed.
Now, let’s watch that great scene.
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