We all know this blog is everything business, today I will be sharing with you some business meeting tips. A business meeting is a meeting you should go into prepared, it is like a battle, each parties are carefully scrutinizing each other, therefore, you dont want your partners getting a wrong impresssion of you, or in the case of negotiation, trying to talk you down or out of something you really believe in.
Alot goes into selling the right image, some times it is your first meeting and the impression you leave is what will determine if there will be a second meeting or follow up conversations, so take this seriously as they may go a long way in helping you stand out as a professional and selling the right image.
1. Be Formal
It is important to be formal so you can be taken seriously, some of us believe in informal relationships, especially if some of the people you are meeting with are your friends or colleagues, i will say to you if you want to be taken seriously, even if its your dad or mom or sister or best-friend you are meeting with, once you step into the meeting room wear your formality cloak, it will make them understand that you are in for business and make them take you more seriously, they will listen to you without biased, and get the true picture of what you are selling to them. Some tips for this:
a. Use business terms when talking
b. Do not share in house jokes during your meeting
c. Introduce yourself like you have never met them
d. Do not use slangs
e. Aviod distractions
f. Shake hands with them
2. Dress the Part
Dress the way you want to be addressed, take your grooming seriously, people tend to judge mostly by your appearance, even if you are the genius genius, you may not get the listening ear if you dont look the part. Your partners will see you before they hear you, do not sell the wrong image. Some tips:
a. Wear a suit or traditional outfit (if acceptable in your organization) when going for a meeting.
b. Keep your hair well groomed,
Guys - try low-cut, shave those crazy beards, cut those long pinky nails (they dont make you badass loool).
Ladies - No coloured hair, keep your hair smooth (not flying up and down in peoples face), no big hair.
c. Shoes: Guys- shine your shoes and keep them clean, clean your socks too, you don't want people uncomfortable around you
Ladies: wear shoes you are comfortable working in, you don't want to draw unnecessary attention to yourself
d. Keep your facial makeup and jewelries minimal and decent.
3. Be Focused
Don't be distracted by happenings around you, focus on the subject of the discusion and the people in the meeting. some tips:
a. Don't forget peoples names, make sure you pay attention when being introduced, people feel offended when you forget their names
b. Shake hands and make eye contact when doing it
c. Let your handshake speak for your purpose, hard, firm, or soft.
d. Contribute in the course of the meeting, if your are paying attention you will have opinions and contrubution.
e. Follow the conversation, dont just blot out your opinion, think before you talk.
f. Go in with your note book, take notes during presentations or when other people are talking
g. Don't cut people in the middle of their statements, write your questions down and ask at the appropriate time
h. Take your business card with you.
i. Say your full name when being introduced.
j. Always stand when being introduce to someone, standing helps to establish your presence.
k. Turn towards people when they speak to you.
l. Listen attentively, don't be in a hurry to speak.
m. Give only answers you are sure of, if you are in doubt, gently say you cannot give a response at the time, and give a time when you will be able to get the response through.
I will be sharing more tips soon. stay tuned, your inputs, corrections and comments will also be appreciated.
Thank you
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