1. Be honest and transparent to all stakeholders internally (employees) and externally (customers, investors, credit holders) 2. Communicate the issues; corrective actions; path to recovery 3. Deliver on promise with clear milestones and metrics 4. Communicate learnings and innovation to avoid this from happening in the future. 5. Reinforce commitment to all stakeholders with actions and words…

Keep updating various stages of development. Review internally to give update on tentative date by which we will be in position to develop the product. Meanwhile, also check and see if any alternatives is available across the globe which we can import and post internal evaluation and test once gets approved offer customer product in own brand and once interna development gets over one can stop import options and start own manufacturing options

Product launch delays are never ideal, but maintaining customer trust during these times is critical. I completely agree that transparent communication, offering compensations, and providing regular updates can make all the difference. Being upfront about challenges and keeping customers in the loop shows respect for their time and expectations. I'd also add that engaging directly with customers through Q&A sessions or feedback opportunities can build stronger relationships and trust.

Inform status with customer and be honest on what the situations are and inform the action to be taken and back to right track again and make sure this case not repeat again.

Product launches are critical events which depends on many factors starting from design, testing, redesign , final testing and product validation. Lunches are planned when product development reaches its last lap. There could be many unforeseen scenarios which may delay the product launch. But the challenge is how to keep the customers interest intact in the product. The only way is to be transparent and convince your customers that delay will only help in bringing a better product. Keep releasing interesting teasers about the product regularly targeting its alignment with customer needs or how it is going to make things easier for them.

Communication, as commented by other colleagues, is absolutely important. But, the key point is the moment when we start the communication about the delay. We need to think in the effects of this delay in our customer and as a consequence of that to decide when we inform our customers. The information with enough time in advance will bring you to the success. And finally to keep them informed about the project progress will show your professionalism and the customer satisfaction.

One thing I did in the past when a PL was kicked back by 7 days, (the venue had been double booked), was to use it as an opportunity to engage directly with customers, explain to them, and get the team to personally invite them to a private trade launch evening where they were, as well as being first to try out the new product, actively involved in NPD market research for future products we had under development. This lead to significant pre-orders and increased the brand loyalty.

Delays are inevitable in business, but how you handle them can define your brand’s reputation. By turning a challenging moment into an opportunity for connection, you can deepen customer trust. Transparency, proactive communication, and offering value are not just damage control—they’re investments in long-term loyalty. Remember, customers often appreciate honesty and effort more than perfection.

I Communicate Early and Transparently, softly notifying customers about the delay. I think being transparent upfront builds trust. I Offer Interim Solution to deliver partial or limited versions of the product. I Set Clear Expectations updating them regularly with any progress, showing them that I’m on top of the situation and actively working on it.

- Communicate transparently with customers about the delay and its reasons. - Offer sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes updates to maintain interest. - Provide exclusive early access, discounts, or incentives for pre-orders. - Focus on enhancing customer service and addressing queries proactively. - Strengthen your product's value proposition to emphasize quality over speed. - Engage with your audience through surveys or feedback to show involvement. - Develop a temporary solution or complementary product to bridge the gap. - Collaborate with influencers or partners to maintain visibility and excitement. - Implement a robust post-launch support plan to ensure customer satisfaction.