Why does research and education play an important part of the business relationship?
Have you ever attended a business briefing or meeting without reading the materials ahead of time? I know I certainly have, and I also know that I felt like a fool when asked a question. It was up to me to be informed about the meeting and to read the information, and I neglected to do so. When you attend a meeting for a potential client, you will often find that they have not read much about you and have not done their research. Make sure that it is the other party wearing those shoes and not you. Find out all you can about their business so that you have a fairly accurate understanding of their potential business needs. You may also discover some problems they may have in keeping up with the competition or other items of interest that you can discuss at the meeting. You want to make sure that you are better informed about their business than they are about you.
Once you have gained an understanding of their business, spend some time in the meeting asking relevant questions about how they tackle certain aspects of their business. You are working towards forming a bond and a business relationship here, and not trying to sell your products or services. Have them speak on what they do best and what they think the competition's weaknesses are. Also give free advice on some possible solutions that you can discuss in detail further down the road. The main goal of the first meeting is an introduction and to get to the second meeting, nothing more and nothing less.
You may discover in your research that the company has many strong points, but at the same time some weaknesses may be revealed. Do not play on those weaknesses, but play to their strengths. If the weaknesses get in the way, it may be time to book a time with another client.
Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com
I love lists. I make them for everything. And I'm... Read More
Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ?... Read More
Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More
-- Beyond Cold Calling, "Warm" Calling and Sending E-mails --Many... Read More
If you are a small business you know that you... Read More
Office support services can range from basic data entry to... Read More
The easiest way to lift profits is to cut the... Read More
Where do you look for the appropriate alliance?One of the... Read More
My clients and many of my readers are small and... Read More
Car Wash Crime in the Hood. Apparently not everyone is... Read More
What types of companies do you want to align yourself... Read More
Just recently, I took a break and caught "The Return... Read More
What are the best methods for keeping a good business... Read More
The employer / employee relations environment has been constantly evolving... Read More
If you are a small business and qualify to participate... Read More
Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More
When a regulator finds a target to go after to... Read More
Sacred cows take a long time to die. We get... Read More
Is it right for you?If you decide to advertise your... Read More
How do you make sure you have the business solutions... Read More
Why should you always maintain a good report with a... Read More
Back when I owned an inventory-based business, one of my... Read More
Why? Because they have access to world class public relations... Read More
It is not surprising that some people may perceive Six... Read More
Yes, that IS security when nobody can downsize you because... Read More
Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More
It is not surprising that some people may perceive Six... Read More
There are both fixed and mobile detailers. Consumers often will... Read More
A suggestion box is a really good idea for your... Read More
In franchising an individual desirous of their own business will... Read More
The challenges of the small business owner are well documented.... Read More
10 Best Practices to consider as your SBIR negotiations approach... Read More
You know your prospects need what you sell. You know... Read More
Perhaps you are building a new home office or you... Read More
Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More
A common hazard faced by new entrepreneurs is a lack... Read More
As the owner or an employee of a small-to medium-sized... Read More
When should you create a foundation in order to solidify... Read More
Time. As a small business owner, it's the commodity you... Read More
The employer / employee relations environment has been constantly evolving... Read More
Search Engines account for almost 90% of all web traffic!In... Read More
1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
Many investors and business ethics professionals are calling for more... Read More
When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More
As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours;... Read More
Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting... Read More
Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More
Car Wash Crime in the Hood. Apparently not everyone is... Read More
There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More
|