Nibletz Staff
So you have started your business, and now you are gearing up for your first meeting. Whether you are going in to meet with a potential client, to kick off work on a project with your new team, or meeting with potential partners or backers, it can feel like a milestone occasion in the formation of your company, and you really want to make sure it goes well. If you have no background in business this may not just be the first important meeting for your start up, but may even be your own first experience of a business meeting.
Here are some tips to make sure you look as professional as possible and get the results you are looking for:
Arrive On Time, And Fresh
Whether you are holding your meeting at your own premises, meeting a client at their own site or holding your meeting at a neutral location, you need to make sure you are on time and putting across the right professional look and feel. If you are traveling by car, plan your journey ahead so you will definitely be on time, and this includes where you are going to park – which can in itself cause big delays in some cities! Look at www.yourparkingspace.co.uk to find bookable places to park in different UK locations, including London. You may also want to consider hiring an executive car via http://www.ichauffeur.co.ukfor the day, or taking a cab rather than public transport to help you arrive comfortable and unflustered – as well as potentially impressing the people you are meeting with.
Brand Yourself
Naturally you want to look smart and professional at your first business meeting, but this is not one of those situations where your parents’ advice about job interviews is always correct. Depending on the type of business you run and the type of people you are meeting, turning up in a suit and tie may not fit, and could make you look like you are trying too hard or are not relaxed and confident. When it comes to planning what to wear, think of your branding. If you are a fashionable creative company, then you will want your look to reflect that. If you are something very professional and business-like, like an accountancy firm, that slick suit and tie look may still be the best choice. Consider the brand elements you are using to represent your company, and dress in a way that communicates this while also matching the level of ‘business attire’ you think the people you are meeting with will be wearing.
Have an Agenda
Meetings can easily go off track and end up running late with many of the points you planned to discuss not being covered or decided on. Whether you are chairing the meeting or not, being able to take control of the conversation and drive it toward goals is an important business skill. Have a proper agenda distributed to the people you are meeting with if you are the one hosting the meeting, and if not, have at least a mental list of topics you want to talk about and objectives for the session, and make sure these get included. Have a look at these 5 business meeting apps that will help with creating an agenda and then getting the most from the meeting.
A good first meeting can be extremely productive and can make you feel like your business is off to a great start, so prepare yourself well and head in there with confidence!
