In the business world, it is important that you connect with the right people. If you don't have the support of other businesses or influential individuals within the local, regional or national business community, it may be hard to keep your company profitable. With that in mind, how can you get meetings with those who are hard to find or schedule time with?
Use a Mutual Connection
It is understandable that a business leader who runs a successful company or several successful companies has to pick and choose who he or she meets with. As time is money, a boring pitch or an appeal for cash that doesn't help that person earn a return on the hypothetical investment wastes both. Therefore, you may need someone to vouch for you to ensure that such a meeting wouldn't represent a waste of time for both parties.
Make a Quick Introduction in Person
If you know where a top CEO eats lunch or know which elevator he or she takes to his or her office each day, it may present an opportunity to say hi and introduce yourself. However, make sure that you are polite and subtle when making your introduction. You don't want to come off as creepy or desperate for attention.
What you want to do is give this person your business card or contact information and then give this person a reason to contact you to schedule a meeting in the future. For instance, you may mention that you have a product that could save the company millions of dollars and talk up its current track record. By piquing that influential person's curiosity, you may be invited to talk more about your product or service.
Talk Directly to Decision Makers if Possible
If you don't have a mutual connection who can vouch for you, the best thing to do is talk directly to a decision maker. Even if this isn't the CEO of the company or a brand manager, talking to someone who can say yes to your idea on behalf of the CEO or other executives is just as good. What you don't want to do is talk to a secretary or someone else who can or will do little more than acknowledge your call or letter and then try to stall or otherwise blow you off at the request of the person you want to meet with.
Be Vigilant
While you want to be tactful in how you approach those you wish to meet with, you shouldn't feel like you have to give up just because you were told no once or twice. In some cases, top executives or business owners appreciate how hard it is to get meetings when you are just starting out or are looking to establish yourself beyond your local area. Therefore, they may admire your determination and eventually give you the meeting you seek to find out how both sides may benefit from a working relationship.
Nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to forging alliances or otherwise being successful in business. However, if you work hard, network with the right people and use the resources you have effectively, you may eventually turn your small business into a thriving brand. If you need funding to fulfill orders for a new client that you are trying to impress or for any other reason, talk to AFN today about how we can help.
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