Saying "I don’t know" in a meeting.

In a meeting today with a potential client I was asked "What changes would you make to our current site?" It’s a question asked frequently, especially in the preliminary stages of the proposal process.

You’re meeting with a potential client and you want to try and impress them with your big ideas. But rather than making something up on the spot, I answered it with "I don't know. It's a question that deserves more thought and information than I have right now."

Answering that question on the spot or putting in your deck "Things we would change on your site" does more harm than good because you don’t know their business, their customers, their data, or why they made the decisions they did. It shines light on a process that is not rooted in research and insights. However, answering with "I don’t know" shows that your process of making decisions is based on data and research. It's an honest answer and one that a client should appreciate.

So, the next time someone asks you what changes you would make without you having the necessary information to back your suggestions, answer simply and honestly that you don't know with your current lack knowledge on their business. It will impress your [potential] client and showcase your honesty.