If you are in the corporate industry you have probably gone through countless meetings, both successful as well as meetings that seemed to waste your time.  When your time is precious, you want to be able to close on more deals in less time, especially major contracts.

Creative Locations

Most people are used to having meetings in a board room around a desk.  So why not change it up a bit to get your client’s interest as well as to take off the pressure that a stuffy board room might give them. You can still keep the meeting professional, but take the edge off, by meeting at a local coffee shop or golf course.

Remember that some clients may be uncomfortable with a remote location meeting because it is something unfamiliar for them.  If choosing a remote location, make sure you wear some personalized company workwear so others around you can see what company you are from.  This can be an easy way to show that you take the time to get to know clients and maybe gain some more business.

Parting Gifts

The meeting is not only important from the start to the end time.  After the meeting has ended the client is going to think about what was discussed, maybe have a meeting of their own with coworkers, and ultimately make some sort of decision.  So why not leave them with something that will keep you in a positive place in their minds.  You can get promotional merchandise (e.g. promotional umbrellas, or embroidered baseball caps) made at a variety of places to have on hand at the office.  Something like an embroidered polo shirt or a branded water bottle, for example, can be an easy way to keep your company in the back of future client’s minds.

Meetings do not have to be all business, getting to know your clients on a personal level may help you understand and address their needs better in the future.