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Blind Meeting; Like Blind Dating Only More Fun

By: Marijean Jaggers | 01/08/2009

As a person who seeks and explores new business opportunities on behalf of Standing Partnership, I go on a lot of blind dates meetings. I can't even tell you how many times I've arranged to meet a near-total stranger for coffee or lunch to discuss synergies and gauge the chemistry between us likelihood we'll be able to work together.

Some of these meetings can produce some advance anxiety so I like to do these three things before I meet my blind date potential business prospect:

1. Google them -- but don't stop there. If you've already made the connection enough to meet in person, connect with them on LinkedIn, too, and if they're there, friend them in Facebook, follow them on Twitter and for goodness sakes' read their blog if they have one. Don't go into that meeting not knowing your new acquaintance blogged about the death of his grandmother the night before.
2. Send them a link to a recent photo of yourself. It's hard to go into a crowded coffeeshop and guess what the person you're supposed to be meeting is going to look like. It's not fair of you to expect them to guess what YOU look like, or to be disappointed when they don't immediately recognize you. Take away the mystery and share a shot. This is the one I've been using lately. I've noticed that when I share the link, the person I'm about to meet reciprocates 100 percent of the time and seems to appreciate being set at ease about finding one another in a crowd.
3. Shoot over an e-mail with your cell phone number the evening or afternoon before your meeting to both confirm the meeting and provide a handy way for your date new business prospect to get in touch with you in case he's not going to make it. No one likes to be stood up.

Are there any steps you like to take before meeting a new business contact for the first time?

Posted in Reputation Management