Are You Ready The Value of Preparing for Meetings

Are You Ready The Value of Preparing for Meetings Abe Lincoln* once said, If I had six hours to chop down a tree, Id spend the first four sharpening the axe. Whether or not you agree with theproportion of time that Lincoln would have you spend on preparation, its hard to argue against the idea that doing your homework will serve you well. How do you prepare for big meetings or presentations? Has that changed over time, or do you have certain routines you always follow?In speaking with many fellow business owners, Ive found that there are a number of preparation tipsthat most entrepreneurs agree will help you put your best foot forward.1. Know Your AudienceWho are you meeting with? Have you done a Google search on them? If you didnt set the agenda, who did and whats on the agenda?Its always best not to be surprised or blindsided at a meeting. The mora you know about the people youre meeting with including their backgrounds, their needs, and how they define success the more productive your discussions will be.2. Eat, Sleep, and Be MerryNothing beats a good nights rest and a full stomach when it comes to meetingpreparation.A warm smile and friendly conversation will go a long way in building rapport and, ultimately, a solid relationship which is the foundation for everything that follows.Of course, you wont be in the mood for chitchat and smiles if youre hungry or tired, will you?If youre in a pinch, grab some coffee and an energy bar before you start. It beats hearing your stomach growl and fighting yawns during a meeting.3. Practice Makes (Almost) PerfectRehearsals arent just for plays. Whether you think of a meeting as a performance or not, its your job to both inform and entertain your audience members.Nobodys perfect, but you should be comfortable enough with your material that it flows naturally and youre not relying on notes during the meeting. You dont want to be re ading off a script you want to be having direct, engaging conversations.4. Follow Up and Follow ThroughIf you tell the people you meet with youll get back to them on a particular issue, make sure you actually do it. Keeping promises goes a long way and reinforces the quality image and brand you want to project.Personally, I find that, if I write things down, they get done. Find a system that works for you to make sure you always close the loop in the end.-These steps may seem simple, but youd be amazed how many people dont invest the timeand effortnecessary to get into the heads and hearts of their target audience. You want to leave a lasting impression as a consummate professional you should never let a meeting go to waste especially when it can be a challenge to set one up in the first place.So, take the time you need to be prepared, because even meetings you dont initially think are important may end up putting you in front of people who can help you in the future. Though they might not hire you or buy your product this time, they will remember you for later if you make a great impression, that is.Keep sharpening that axe you never know when youll need it.*Ed. note Plenty of people credit Lincoln with this quote, but its difficult if not impossible to verify whether or not he ever actually said it.