Turn down questions about your product that don't make sense
❓ "How are you going to market the product to your consumers?"
A few weeks ago, someone asked me this question with a highly sceptic undertone. Meanwhile, I find myself in a early prototyping stage with my product StandByCare in order to find problem-solution fit. For that reason, it was a question I certainly wasn't prepared for.
⚡ How did I react?
I didn't know what to say for a moment. Usually, to every question asked, I give the best answer possible because mostly I feel the pressure to please the audience. In this case, however, I held in for a second and I understood that the question didn't align with my development stage and it's completely fine if I don't have an answer yet. As a consequence, I turned the question down and gave details on my current scope.
🛬 The bottom line
It's likely that you receive a lot of questions that don't make sense because people lack knowledge of your product and current status. So, don't be afraid to turn down questions politely but make sure to explain the reasons. This demonstrates your confidence and ability to prioritize.
💬 What odd questions or situations were you confronted with and how did you react? Please tell me in the comments. I'm curious!
Simple yet eye-opening.
Recognizing and giving ourselves the option not to answer can do wonders in such situations.
What I would like to add is that if someone is not confortable turning down the question completely, there are still some options, namely, reframing the question to a one that is convenient and answering it or making a partial response if that applies.
Vielen Dank und gutes Gelingen.
Good point. Thanks for adding this!
I'd prefer reframing questions in a smart way over partial answers. Partial answers to me give the impression one didn't listen or there are reasons to avoid parts of the question. Reframing, on the opposite, can move discussions in other directions smoothly.
Great advice, Alexander, thanks! I hadn't really considered turning a question down as an option, but you're right - if it's not relevant to the scope of the conversation/presentation and doesn't reflect the stage of the process in which you are, then what's the point? I'm curious though, how did you turn it down without offending the person who asked the question?
Indeed, it's so trivial that people forget they don't need to have answers for every single question.
First and foremost, I acknowledged the importance of the question if I was in a more advanced stage with my product. In comparison I reflected the scope of my current work of implementing a technological solution which brings value for the target persona. I stressed that I plan early involvement of the target persona in development in case this is what my opponent tried to get at.