According to research, it takes anywhere from 33 to 100 milliseconds for another person to form conclusions about your personality.
Although such a small amount of time is nowhere near enough for someone to create an impression at a business meeting, it’s only natural that you’ll be assessed based on the first few seconds of it. The other person doesn’t know anything about you, so they will assess you based on what they see and hear.
Furthermore, sometimes it is difficult to let go or change your opinions about others. The other person might become attached to their first impression of you, forming a confirmation bias. They will do everything to judge you based on those first few seconds or minutes.
This is why it is said that making a strong first impression is crucial, especially in a business meeting. Whether you’re meeting with a potential supplier, partner, or investor, you need to do everything you can to make a good impression. Even the smallest details, such as hiring an executive car service for your visit, can make or break the deal. Read on to explore more about this.
1. Make Sure You Look Professional
As mentioned above, the first few seconds of your business meeting are critical to form a lasting impression. Your appearance is one of the first things that anyone will notice about you before you speak or do anything. It is the most important determinant of the kind of impression the other party will form about you.
Dressing appropriately and professionally is a sign that you know what you’re doing and have respect for the people you are meeting. From wearing the right clothes and footwear to minimal jewellery, fragrance, and makeup, several factors play a vital role in tying your your whole look together.
2. Go Into It Prepared
Whether you’re meeting with a potential client, partner, or any other stakeholder, you need to know what’s required of you and who you’ll be dealing with. Research and preparation play a key role in any business meeting. No matter how well-dressed you are or how warmly you smile, it ultimately comes down to whether you know your stuff or not.
If you’re not doing your homework, you’ll likely create a negative impression on the people you’re meeting with. They might think that you don’t value their time and see it as a sign of disrespect. Thus, whenever you’re going into a business meeting, you need to be prepared with information, and explanations, and ask the right questions at the right time.
3. Stay Engaged and Try to Keep Your Audience Engaged Too
Most people misinterpret the meaning of creating a lasting impression. It’s not as much about the information as it is about engaging in meaningful and active conversation. Actively listen to what the other person has to say and contribute thoughtfully to the conversation.
At the end of the day, you want yourself to be treated the same way you treat others. If you’re receptive and an active listener, others it will rub off on others and they’ll also try to reciprocate your effort and think that you’re very interested in this meeting. When you focus on creating engagement, it will naturally lead to interesting conversations, making the meeting fruitful.
4. Be On Time
This goes without saying, but we can’t stress the importance of time enough, especially in a professional setting. Time is of high value to business-minded individuals, which is why they won’t like it if you wasted their precious minutes for whatever reason.
Punctuality is an excellent way to build a lasting impression and enhance your credibility. Being punctual for a business meeting makes you look professional and you also save time. Although certain unexpected circumstances are out of your control, you should try your best to make adequate adjustments beforehand and do thorough planning to reach the meeting venue on time.
5. Book an Executive Car Service
This ties in with the above-mentioned point; an executive car service not only helps you save time, but it will also make you appear more sophisticated. The person you’re meeting won’t be happy if you show up to the meeting looking dishevelled from your long and strenuous commute.
Thus, hiring a premium taxi service to take you to your meeting venue can work in your favour in more ways than one.
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