Last updated on Jul 13, 2024

Dealing with end-users resistant to smart energy changes. How can you effectively address their feedback?

As you encounter resistance to smart energy changes, it's essential to understand where it's coming from. Often, end-users are hesitant because they lack information or fear the unknown. They may worry about the complexity of new systems, potential costs, or privacy concerns. Your first step is to listen actively to their concerns. Show empathy and acknowledge the validity of their feelings. This can help build a foundation of trust, making them more open to considering the benefits of smart energy solutions.

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1 Educate Tactfully

Education is a powerful tool in overcoming resistance. You must provide clear, jargon-free explanations about how smart energy systems work and their benefits. For instance, smart thermostats adjust heating and cooling automatically for efficiency, which can lead to cost savings. Highlighting tangible benefits can make the technology more appealing. Remember to pace your information delivery according to your audience's understanding and interest level. Overwhelming them with too much technical detail can be counterproductive.

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Mike Fagan

Airline pilot turned to a deep dive into the world of food. Heavily influenced by the immortal words of Hypocrates. Let Food be your medicine and medicine your food.
An effective cost benefit analysis generally will show the user the unsurpassed benefits of the renewable energy source in comparison to traditional coal fired sources of power. Especially when it comes to the hidden environmental costs. To be borne by the children and grandchildren
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Aruneeta Srivastava
At our pet boarding facility, we used to waste a lot of energy by running the air conditioning (AC) at full blast, even when the weather outside was mild. But with our new smart energy system, we can adjust the AC usage based on the weather forecast. For example, if the weather is expected to be cooler, our system automatically reduces the AC usage, saving us energy and costs. And if the weather suddenly changes, our system can adjust in real-time to ensure the comfort and safety of our furry guests. This not only saves us money but also reduces our carbon footprint, allowing us to provide a more sustainable and comfortable environment for the pets in our care.
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Krzysztof Czubak

Co-founder UserMindful.Design, CEO w Bankai.Studio, partner at BehaviorDelta.com
Most of the time, lack of motivation to take action on the part of prospect client can be tracked to decision uncertainty. If they are uncertain of value they are getting, they will not buy. It's also a good idea to frame financial benefit not as savigs in future, but as loses now because of lack of action. Eg. You will save 1000$ per month if you instal smart energy vs. You are losing 1000$ per month now due to lack of smart energy solutions. Also, see if you can offer a tranch payments about the size of savings if possible. If instalation is 20k, and will save 1k per month, see if you can arrange a financial solution that will spread payments in a way to make it seem as if it's going to pay for itself off of savings at no extra cost.
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2 Personalize Benefits

Personalizing the benefits of smart energy systems can make a significant impact. Show end-users how these changes will directly improve their daily lives. If a smart meter can help them track and reduce their energy consumption, explain this in a way that connects to their personal values, such as saving money or being environmentally friendly. People are more likely to embrace change when they can see the personal payoff.

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3 Address Concerns

Directly addressing the concerns of end-users is crucial. If they're worried about the costs, break down the initial investment versus long-term savings. For privacy concerns, explain how data is securely handled and the user's control over it. By providing reassurance and evidence that their worries are being taken seriously, you can build confidence in the technology and its providers.

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Mike Fagan

Airline pilot turned to a deep dive into the world of food. Heavily influenced by the immortal words of Hypocrates. Let Food be your medicine and medicine your food.
Short term capital costs vs long term investment benefits. A proven method of handling objections Comparing capital costs of renewables vs return of capital and the environmental benefits
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4 Offer Support

Offering robust support is key in managing resistance. Make sure end-users know that help is available if they encounter difficulties with the new technology. This could be in the form of tutorials, customer service hotlines, or user manuals. Knowing that they won't be left to figure out complex systems on their own can alleviate anxiety and resistance.

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5 Encourage Feedback

Finally, encourage ongoing feedback from end-users. This not only shows that you value their opinion but also provides valuable insights into how the technology is received and areas that may need improvement. Act on this feedback where possible to demonstrate commitment to meeting their needs and improving their experience with smart energy systems.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Dealing with end-users resistant to smart energy changes. How can you effectively address their feedback?

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1 Educate Tactfully

2 Personalize Benefits

3 Address Concerns

4 Offer Support

5 Encourage Feedback

6 Here’s what else to consider

Energy Management

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