Live online public course with Daniel Ord
Managing Difficult CustomersThursday 8 & Friday 9 April 2027
A live online de-escalation and conflict course that gives your team a proven way to handle angry, upset and difficult customers, on the phone, in writing and face to face.
Two 4-hour sessions with global expert Daniel Ord. Book one seat or several for your team.
- 4.9/5 from verified reviews
- Led by global expert Daniel Ord
- Live online: join from anywhere
- Certificate included
Trusted by leading organisationsHundreds of businesses, from local councils to national brands, have chosen CX Skills to upskill their teams. See who we’ve trained
What’s in it for your team
What your team will do differently
Most people are never taught how to handle an upset or unreasonable customer. They work it out under pressure, and it shows: stress, escalations and inconsistent outcomes.
This course gives your team a clear, repeatable approach, so they stay calm, set boundaries professionally and resolve issues without inflaming the situation.
- Fewer escalations and complaints
- Calmer, more confident staff under pressure
- Better protected staff wellbeing
Stay calm under pressure
Pause, choose a response and stay in control when emotions run high.
Know what they’re dealing with
Tell the abusive, irritating and unhappy customer apart, and handle each well.
Listen so customers feel heard
Listening, reconfirming and the right level of empathy for the situation.
Say no without blowback
How to say YES, say NO, explain WHY and offer a conditional YES.
Set clear boundaries
Handle abusive behaviour professionally and escalate at the right time.
Protect wellbeing
Less stress, less burnout and more confidence for the people on the front line.
The course
One proven course, built by a global expert
Managing Difficult Customers is one complete course: four modules over two live 4-hour sessions, with plenty of practice so people are ready to use the skills straight away.
It works for any channel, and it’s the same proven format whether you book a public seat or train your whole team privately.
Daniel has spent decades helping service teams around the world, so the examples feel familiar whatever your industry, and there’s always time for questions about your own situations.
- 2 × 4 hoursTwo live sessions on separate days
- Live onlineVia Zoom, join from anywhere
- Public or privateOne seat or your whole team
- CertificateFor everyone who completes
What’s covered: four modules
Each module builds on the last, from understanding behaviour to choosing the right solution.
Considering Human Behaviour
How people interpret difficult situations, and how to choose your own response.
- What it means to choose, and to pause
- Behaviours incompatible with service
- Why empathy is hard, and still worth it
Classic Difficult Situations
Difficult customers fall into groups. Learn the differences and how to handle each.
- The abusive customer
- The irritating customer
- The unhappy customer
Service Skills Requirements
Advanced communication techniques your team can use every day.
- What listening actually sounds like
- Reconfirming the enquiry
- The five levels of empathy
Your Solution Options
Move from listening to solving, with the solution types that come up most.
- How to say YES, and how to say NO
- Explaining WHY, and the creative YES
- When and how to escalate
Training a whole team? Get a private course quote
Who it’s for
Who is Managing Difficult Customers training for?
Anyone who deals with customers when conversations turn emotional, from new starters to experienced leaders.
Customer service teams
Phone, email and chat teams handling enquiries and complaints.
Team leaders
Coaching staff through high-emotion calls and escalations.
Complaints teams
Case managers handling formal complaints and escalated cases.
Reception and front desk
Face-to-face roles managing walk-ins and tension in person.
Billing and collections
Hard conversations about money, payments and policy.
Government and utilities
Public-facing staff explaining limits, rules and decisions.
Looking for broader customer service training? Browse all customer service courses
Reviews
What participants say
Verified reviews from people who’ve completed Managing Difficult Customers with Daniel.
Pricing
Pricing and payment options
Eight hours of live training with a global expert, for $747 per person ex GST. Book one seat or your whole team, and pay by card or invoice at checkout.
Seats are limited to keep the sessions interactive, so book early to secure your place.
- Save 15% when you book 3 or more seats in one transaction
- ACXPA members pay $560 per person, a 25% saving (see below)
- Card or invoice: choose how to pay at checkout
- Training a whole team? Private courses run for groups of 5 or more
Official ACXPA training partner
ACXPA members pay $560, plus a year of resources
ACXPA members save 25% on this course and every CX Skills live public course.
Membership also gives you 12 months of full access to ACXPA’s live sessions, tools and resources, so the learning keeps going long after the course.
- 50+ hours of live expert sessions every year
- 50+ tools, calculators and templates, plus self-paced courses with certificates
- The Complaints Handling Hub: guides, a framework, and logging and escalation tools
- Business Membership covers your whole team, from $497 a year for five people
FAQs
Managing Difficult Customers FAQs
Delivery, pricing, content and who the course suits.
Who should attend this course?
What topics are covered?
When are the sessions?
What if I can’t make these dates?
Does it help with abusive or unsafe behaviour?
Does the course provide scripts?
How is the course delivered?
Can Daniel deliver the course onsite?
Can the course be customised for our team?
How much does it cost?
Will the course definitely go ahead?
What’s included?
What do participants need?
Is there a lower-cost or self-paced option?
An ACXPA membership is another option. Members save 25% on live public courses and get the Complaints Handling Hub, with guides, a framework, logging and escalation tools to improve complaints handling across your business.
How do I book?
Ready to book your place?
Secure your seats for 8 and 9 April, or talk to us about training your whole team.