Here it is again ATTENTION, INTEREST, CREDIBILITY,VALUE,ACTION.
Its the first meeting how should I prepare.
First of all, this is really fun if you do it right and I promise if you prepare well, you will definitely get off to a fabulous start with your client.
WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY.
WHO is going to attend? What can you find out about them before hand.
WHAT: is your objective? To find out what the client wants you to do is not an objective! You are “waiting for something to happen”.
OBJECTIVES: (the below can be the basis for your meeting agenda
1. Meet the client and establish contact.
2. Establish a realistic level of credibility for the first meeting. Make a good impression.
3. Earn the right to ask questions in order to establish value.
4. Prioritize objectives by highest value.
5. Gain agreement on potential deliverables and timetable (SCOPE OF WORK)
6. Agree on communication method and set up the next meeting
Client should have some things to do for the next meeting and so should you. This becomes your AGENDA for the next meeting
OK .. Would you like me to post an agenda for you to look at?
Send me a post please and I will do it for you:)
WHERE: At the client location, Skype etc etc….you may want to make a “drive by” prior to your meeting to check out parking (meters?) Maybe pick up some Dunkin Doughnuts coffee and brink it with:)
If the client is coming to campus: Offer to meet them, parking pass, telephone contact if they get lost. Someone (or two) in your team should have the task of hospitality and making your guest feel welcome and comfortable. If you really want to blow them away, pick up a BI mug, pen etc to give them when they leave. Also offer to escort them back to their car. You get the idea.
WHY: AGENDA be sure to provide a specific set of objectives for your meeting as well as time. At the end of your meeting, go over the objectives. Its OK to not cover it all. The remaining stuff is becomes material for your next meeting:)