When do you prepare for customer meetings?
A couple of days before ... the night before ... the morning of ... or while you're sat in the car/van outside their house?
Personally, I hate being caught on the hop. It gives me anxiety. And I sweat a lot.
I like to know everything is in order and I'm well prepared.
Prepared mentally and physically - have I got all the information to hand that will be needed during the meeting.
But business isn't always like that. Sometimes, even with the best will in the world, you find yourself a little underprepared.
To help, there's a saying I'm reminded of whenever myself and Lindsey are due to have a customer or prospect meeting.
Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
There are other adaptations of this: Piss Poor Planning leads to Piss Poor Results, but none are as catchy as the original which was first coined in the British Army.
I remind myself of this because it helps gear my brain up to start thinking about the meeting ahead. Usually days in advance.
What we will cover, what we will take away from the meeting, and what we want our customer or prospect to get from the time together.
Today's small business tip is: plan and prepare for your meetings as early as possible.
Not only will this save you a bundle of stress, but it will help you get more from the time together, and the experience will provide more value for everyone involved.
Tomorrow we've a meeting with a prospective client.
He runs a building company and is looking for help with CIS compliance, bookkeeping and general administration.
It's an important meeting, with lots of things to cover. A meeting I've been thinking about for many days.
I think we're ready ...
I hope we're ready ...
So, the next time you're gearing up to an important meeting. remember:
Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Best, Sarah