I know everyone is human and makes mistakes.

However....I recently got a new retainer client. When I spoke with him a few weeks ago, and we talked about what work he needed, and what I could help him with, I told him one thing that I recommended. I have since discovered that I made a mistake and should have recommended something completely different. It won't be a different cost, and I haven't even started that particular scope of work, but, how do I tell him that I made a mistake without sounding like I am an idiot that doesn't know what I'm doing?

I'm thinking maybe an email explaining what happened, and why I made the error and hoping he doesn't drop me for making a mistake. I just don't want him to think I make mistakes all the time. And since this is the first month I am working for him, I have no track record with him yet.

So, how do I handle this?

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Kathy Harmacek, Your Virtual Aide
http://www.your-virtual-aide.com

Kathy, I'm not sure just what the nature of the recommendation was but you can always approach it as if new information has come to light and you're keeping your client abreast of your latest understanding.

Just tell him you have since come to realize that X would be a much better option for him than Y for this, this, and that reason, reassure him that the cost is the same, and I'd guess no real harm will be done at all!

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Sorry Tess, that was a bit cryptic. I'm just so upset with myself for making such a stupid mistake, that I guess I just didn't really want to tell anyone exactly what I did. Honestly, sometimes I just feel like I have no business being in this business at all.

When I first was contacted by this client, he explained that he had both an ACT database and also an Outlook client data base, and he wanted to consolidate both of them into either one or the other. I told him I hadn't used ACT so was only marginally knowledgable in it. Then I gave a cursory foray into ACT to see what it was about, and erroneously thought Outlook could do everything he really needed. So, I told him I thought Outlook would be an ok choice for him.

Since I got him as a client, I have done more research into ACT, and have come to the conclusion that ACT would be better for him.

So, do I just explain that I have had time to do more research and have changed my mind? I'm sure I'm making more of this than it should be, but I really hate making any sort of mistake! I take it personally when I can't give my client exactly what he needs correctly the first time.

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Kathy Harmacek, Your Virtual Aide
http://www.your-virtual-aide.com

Kathy, don't be so hard on yourself!
It's all a learning experience in the end and at least gives you a valuable new perspective and a new mantra to repeat to clients who ask after things like this: "I'd like to take some time to do a bit of research on X and Y to determine which suits your needs better..."

But for this particular case, I would still advise saying exactly what you said to me in the most recent post 'I have had time to do more research and have changed my mind' or '...have come to the conclusion that ACT will be a better program for you after all' (are you concerned that you might lose the client because you're not familiar with ACT?)

Someone else may pop in here and have something else to add, but I think you're doing just fine. It's not so much the mistakes we make as humans as the way in which we approach the fix!

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I don't think you made a mistake. You already told him you weren't familiar with ACT. I would just tell him, you have done more research on ACT and now think it would be the better option. He shouldn't mind at all.

I think your being too hard on yourself.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Yeah, its definitely not as bad as it may seem to you. You did tell him you weren't very knowledgeable about it and you said you haven't started on it yet. Just be honest and tell him that you did some more research before you got started because you wanted to make sure it was a good choice and after what you've learned, you realize ACT would be better after all. I'm sure he'll appreciate knowing that you did your homework so to speak and that you're looking out for his best interest rather than sticking with a less appropriate option just to "save face".

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April @ Advantage
Advantage Virtual Assistant

Honestly, I think your client will respect you for telling him exactly what you said here. You said you told him you had a basic knowledge of ACT when you first spoke with him. You also said you'd look at ACT more for him. Just tell him Outlook would work for him as you originally suggested but that you've done more research on ACT and have a broader knowledge of it now and believe it would be a better solution than Outlook for him. You haven't given him bad or incorrect information you've just learned that there's something better for him. That's your job...finding him something better. It just happens that you found the something better sooner than you thought.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

If there is anything I've learned in corporate america it is to admit your mistakes. You may have to give explanation regarding your recommendations for a while to rebuild trust, but admit it and move on.

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

Thanks, everyone for the feedback.

I think I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I really hate being wrong about anything, and I really think I'm just so nervous that I'm going to lose a wonderful client, and this is really my first retainer. I want to do a good job so I continue the relationship for a LONG time! He's really such a perfect client and I felt we really connected when we spoke.

I will take a deep breath, finish my research and send him a very nice email explaining my conclusions.

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Kathy Harmacek, Your Virtual Aide
http://www.your-virtual-aide.com

I don't think he would make a big deal about it since you have been up front and honest during the whole thing. Just tell him that you went back and reviewed ACT and found that it may actually be more beneficial to his business than Outlook as long as he knows how to use ACT. If he doesn't, then maybe you can help him with that. But I would expect that he would be happy because you are showing that you care about him and his business enough to go back and review ACT before you started his work.

You will be fine and it's going to all be great!!! Good Luck!!!