If you've been in sales any length of time it has happened to you.
You have totally embarrassed yourself in front of a client. Whether you dropped the ball, or someone in your support staff messed up, or there was a flaw with the product, you knew there would be hell to pay the next time you had to face the customer.
So what do you do?
Nobody has embarrassed themselves more than Britney Spears. She did it on a worldwide scale. Who could blame her if she chose to move to a deserted island and hide out the rest of her life?
But instead of hiding she has acknowledged the problem without dwelling on it too much. In the interviews she has done she has shown how she is getting her life back in order.. She has gotten herself back into shape. She has avoided putting herself into situations where she might return to her bad behavior. And she has come back to the marketplace with a strong CD that will debut at number one.
How does this apply to you?
When things go wrong don't try to hide. Face them head on. Acknowledge the problem without dwelling on it too much, and return with a solid presentation.
Americans believe in giving folks a second chance. If Britney stays clean, behaves herself, and continues to deliver the concerts and CD's people expect from her she will be able to have a long fruitful career.
The same with you. Don't let the mess ups prevent you from making a comeback.
If you admit the mistake, and deliver with a quality product and service not only will your customers forgive, they will forget.
