Christianjoint venture marketing
While joint ventures have been proven to be effective in marketing a business, finding a prospective partner and convincing him to join forces with you can be easier said than done. The first few minutes of your initial meeting may just be enough to convince another business owner that your company is worth becoming a partner.
To ensure those first few minutes are as positive as possible, we have five ways to help you make a good first impression.
Be on Time
It is human nature to stew when you are waiting for another person, and if your prospect is hot under the collar before you ever even get there, he will be less likely to focus on what you have to say. Plan your commute so you arrive at least 10 minutes early to your meeting to convey the importance of your relationship to your future partner.
Consider Your Appearance
While no one likes to admit he judges people on their appearance, this is a prevalent trend particularly in the business world. While you don’t have to head to your initial meeting in a three-piece suit (unless that is the standard uniform for your particular industry), a tidy appearance will give the impression that you really care about the meeting. The other advantage is that when you look more “professional,” you often carry yourself more professionally as well.
Watch Your Body Language
Body language is a much-studied science today, having a much greater impact on both personal and professional relationships than we might ever believe possible. While you don’t want to focus too much on this factor during your first meeting, you do want to avoid body language that conveys disinterest or arrogance. Crossing your arms in front of you or shifting your eyes from your associate may be seen as warning signs to your prospective partner.
Be Aware of Common Courtesies
A simple “please,” “thank you” and warm handshake can go far in developing a pleasant relationship between you and your prospective partner. In the professional world, common courtesies are essential if you want others to like and respect you. It is also a comfortable protocol that puts everyone in the meeting at ease because it sets the stage for a polite, professional exchange of ideas.
Focus on the Other Person
When you are nervous about a meeting, it is easy to focus on your own feelings and appearance. However, the better you can focus on your partner right from the beginning, the more receptive she will be to your pitch during the meeting. Research your partner prior to the meeting to discover basic information about her. Ask her about her family or his favorite sports team. The sooner you can get the focus off of you, the easier it will be to get through the meeting without too much anxiety.
The right first impression will make all the difference in how well your joint venture idea is pitched to a prospective partner. When you come across as courteous, professional and interested, your associate will be much more willing to listen to what you have to say.
christian fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A joint venture marketing firm. He exemplifies how to profit from Joint Venture relationships by creating profit centers with minimal risk and maximum profitability.
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