Tips For a Professional Productive and Profitable First Meeting
Picture it: You meet a great connection at a networking event. After exchanging cards and discussing future schedules, you set a time to meet again. Any entrepreneur will tell this a GREAT moment - one that needs to be taken seriously and that you need to be fully prepared for. Here are a few tips to make sure you have a professional, productive and profitable first meeting.
MINIMAL
Be detailed in what you do and what you can provide. Explain what you can give and what the results will be for your new connection. However, be as minimal and focused as you can. You do not want one moment where the person across from you is confused or has trouble following the path you are attempting to create in your part of the conversation. Keep it simple, strategic, and most importantly as easy to understand as possible. Make sure they are able to make the same conclusions you get to and that they can see the positive in every step.
MAXIMIZING
When you get to the conclusion, (what you will bring to the table) show every asset and advantage they will receive by doing business with you. Do not go past reality, but make sure you show each plus you can and will give the prospect. Not only does this show the positivity of your services but also shows the multifaceted results you can bring to them. In this economy, we are all looking for as few service providers as we can for our businesses. By showing your multitude of offerings, you will be seen as the business blessing you are.
MUTUAL
They call it a meeting for a reason: because both are supposed to meet and speak. Hence, I suggest you make sure the conversation two-sided. Many service providers and entrepreneurs keep a list of questions to ask to keep the conversation strong and to be able to communicate and answer the agendas you foresee. Some even send a questionnaire in advance to both get a qualification of the pending client and pre-start the conversation that will take place. This approach can also assist in raising your credibility by showing you as prepared and professional as well as knowledgeable in your field.
MEETING OF THE MINDS
All of these words scream one last piece of advice: Preparation. Research your prospects company their needs and prepare to show how you are able to fulfill them. Have a mental checklist of what you want to convey, what your goals are during and after the meeting as well as mental notes during the meeting on what you need to clarify or do better for the next prospect's meeting. There is always room for improvement, no matter how successful you are.
A Former White House intern and past campaign strategist and consultant. Heather has been published in The Daily Caller, Parcbench, Human Events and other publications. Heather holds a dual Masters Degree from Regent University and has been nominated and awarded for her writing and dedication to agendas such as Domestic Violence.
