The Anatomy of a Great Meeting

In Episode 15 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy starts off by expressing gratitude to his guest, Paul, for joining the show. Kelly emphasizes the importance of having a clear goal in business development and discusses the significance of showing interest and care in meetings to build relationships. He advises listeners to consider sending a reminder and relevant marketing materials before a meeting, as well as to always ask for what they want. Kelly shares his preference for in-person meetings and stresses the need to verify that clients have accepted meeting requests. He emphasizes the importance of detailed calendar invites and encourages listeners to do their homework on clients before meetings. Overall, Kelly provides practical tips and insights to help business development professionals improve their meeting strategies and create successful connections.

In the second part, Kelly continues to offer valuable advice for preparing and conducting meetings. He underscores the importance of asking for the meeting and being clear about goals. He recommends having the contact details of clients, including their cell numbers, for easy communication. Kelly suggests arriving early for meetings to review notes and ensure a smooth start. He also encourages listeners to research clients on platforms like LinkedIn and to strive for a good understanding of their backgrounds. Kelly advocates for neutral meeting locations and shows the value of sharing some marketing material with clients. He concludes the episode by reiterating the significance of being prepared, showing care, and continuously learning in the field of business development. Overall, Episode 15 of The Business Development Podcast provides practical tips and insights for leveraging meetings to foster relationships and achieve business goals.

Key Takeaways:

• It is important to know your goal before scheduling a meeting.
• Sending a reminder before the meeting and including relevant marketing materials can be beneficial.
• Clarify the length of time it will take to reach the meeting location.
• Always verify that the client has accepted the meeting request.
• Send a detailed calendar invite with all the necessary information.
• Ask for the meeting and be clear about what you want to achieve.
• Research the client and company before the meeting.
• Meeting at a neutral location, such as a restaurant, can be advantageous.
• Show interest and care by doing some background research on the client.
• Arrive early to the meeting to review notes and be prepared.
• Have contact details easily accessible for the client.
• Text or call the client before the meeting to provide details on where to meet.
• Attach relevant marketing materials, such as a brochure, to the calendar invite if needed.
• Be proactive in tracking and following up on meeting requests.
• Be professional and prepared during the meeting.
• Always be early for meetings.
• Have a good understanding of the client's business and services.
• Keep notes on the purpose of the meeting and any necessary information.