As an entrepreneur or salesperson, it is up to you to have a flexible agenda in place prior to any type of meeting. At the start of the serious portion of each meeting, let it be known what you would like to accomplish by the conclusion of your time spent. Then ask participants for their desired outcomes. Take note and be certain to add their concerns in your original agenda.
The above instruction becomes the basis for leading the conversation with questions. This is strongly advised in order to gain perspective from all in attendance.
Meetings are to be viewed as a team effort to achieve the best possible outcome.
Professional Approach
The inclusion of everyone in attendance, serves to build a larger opportunity and a win for all. Preparation will have you standing out as a professional, and one who is worthy of serious consideration.
Human Touch
All types of meetings see improved success when you come across as both personable and professional. The small talk upfront, and finding commonality through the conversation are equally important to the serious discussion. This further defines who you are alongside establishing a favorable personal brand. The human touch encourages prospective clients to take action. This is particularly true when they recognize you are working on their behalf first vs. simply there to secure a sale.
Social Media Connection
When you apply the human touch to social media, results dramatically improve. For example, on Twitter, you may readily read insights from an individual to get an idea of their thinking. Some you will quickly pass over, while others will motivate and inspire. It becomes likely that you will follow those found in the latter category.
To move the connection forward, research the person on LinkedIn. The profiles are a quick read. You will soon know whether to reach out to connect there and potentially take it to the next level. This combination is so powerful, that an article was written detailing how you may do the same. http://bit.ly/1TAdCe0
Your Effort
Should you be frustrated with fruitless meetings, consider the following:
- Are you agreeing to meet out of desperation?
- Is it time to interact with a new audience or try a new platform to improve results?
We are educated to believe that our processes need to be rock solid. But we soon learn there is no one hard rule defining how business is to be run and operated.
Factors to consider:
- Changing times such as technology and social trends
- Experience brings new ideas
- Business growth requires additional change
- Flexibility opens the door to greater opportunity
By recognizing what needs to be refreshed, and how you differ from others in your field, will have you advancing more quickly. A good policy is to review processes quarterly. This allows you to make both updates and changes in order to remain ahead of the pack and in front of clientele. These guidelines will lead you to the Smooth Sale!
