Final answer:
In sensitive business interactions with buyers, it's best to avoid starting with potential pain points and to engage in a respectful and understanding manner. Listening, staying calm, and affirmatively restating the buyer's position can foster a more productive conversation. If it's in your field of expertise, offer solutions politely and with tact.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of sensitive business discussions, particularly when dealing with a buyer, it is not advisable to bring up buyer-sensitive issues first as it might take the power off the issue away. Instead, one should approach these conversations with caution, seeking to understand the buyer's perspective and concerns without immediately imposing one's views or potential solutions. It's important to choose words with care to avoid inflaming any tensions.
When a conflict arises, instead of becoming defensive or combative, strive to listen and understand the other side. This involves staying calm, being respectful, and asking open-ended questions. An effective strategy to ensure clarity is to restate what you've heard to affirm that you are actively listening and to prevent misunderstandings.
If you have genuine expertise on the topic, it's appropriate to suggest alternatives, but this too must be done with tact and respect. The goal in these situations is to resolve the issue constructively rather than placing blame or asserting dominance in the conversation.