Business meetings have existed since the dawn of time. Over the years, they have become one of the best and most successful tactics in recruitment, and for good reason. When they go right, they are red hot. But, they do go wrong from time to time, and that is a big problem. Okay, fewer businesses rely on business meetings to recruit clients in today’s world of modern technology. Still, that doesn’t mean they are obsolete. Business meetings are still important today, so you want them to be impressive.
Set The Right Tone
As soon as the client walks into the room, they need to feel comfortable. There are a lot of factors that can affect their comfort, but the main one is the meeting room. So, to start with, do you have a meeting room? If the answer is no, you will need to hire one. Companies that pitch clients in the middle of the office or out of the canteen are doomed to fail. Secondly, is it big enough? Meeting venues can be tight, and you don’t want people climbing over one another when they shift in their chairs. Finally, is the tone right? For example, does the color of the room go, and is the temperature okay? They are small details, but they make all the difference.
Know The Client
Walking into a meeting without doing any research is suicidal. Remember, you are trying to show them that your two businesses are a perfect fit. How are you going to give off that impression when you know nothing about their firm? Plus, knowledge is power in business meetings because it gives off the idea that you know your onions. Clients want professionals who know what they are doing, or at seem to know what they are doing!
Be Confident
You have all the tools at your disposal, so don’t get yourself down. A positive mental attitude goes a long way in a meeting. For starters, it takes the pressure off your shoulders. Instead of thinking you are going to fail, which is never good, you have the confidence to achieve. And, it also portrays an image to the clients. They want strong partners who are going to do the job to the best of their ability and not let anything stand in their way. They don’t want a person who has a fear of public speaking.
Don’t Sell Them
They are clever enough to work out whether they need to buy your services, and they don’t need you telling them the obvious. It is annoying, and it doesn’t hit the brief. What you need to do is show them why they need your services. Instead of selling them directly, show them that there is a gap in the market that could improve their business. Then, show them how your business aims to fill that gap. It is that simple, but it is the biggest mistake that people make in a business meeting.
The next time you walk into a business meeting, you should knock it out the park.