Not sure what to do when your customer suddenly needs to leave a meeting early?
The answer is surprisingly simple: just schedule another meeting.
Don’t Rush—Reschedule the Meeting
It happens all the time. A customer schedules 30 minutes with you, but then a last-minute fire drill or emergency forces them to cut the meeting short. Many salespeople would react by cramming the entire meeting into the remaining time. They will barrel through their carefully prepared content – talking fast, skipping key points, and ultimately sacrificing the quality of the conversation.
But here’s a better approach you can try: Pause and reschedule.
Why Rescheduling is the Right Move
Instead of rushing through critical information when a prospect needs to leave a meeting early, say something like:
“I know we had 30 minutes scheduled, and I want to make sure we give this conversation the time it deserves. Would it make sense to set up another time to continue?”
This approach does two things:
- Maintains your value – You’re signaling that your time is important and that the conversation is worth prioritizing.
- Opens the door for flexibility – In some cases, the customer may even push back their next meeting in order to continue yours.
Turn an Interruption into an Opportunity
Rather than allowing unexpected time crunches to leave you feeling frustrated or flustered, view a prospect’s early exit as a chance to secure additional time on your their calendar. By handling the situation with confidence and professionalism, you not only preserve the conversation but also reinforce your credibility.
Next time a meeting gets cut short, don’t scramble—reschedule.
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