You're meeting a new client for the first time. How can you make sure they feel comfortable with you?

Listen. Ask questions. Listen some more. Respond thoughtfully to the Client’s concerns. Pause. Ask if you are addressing the real concerns. Listen some more.

Learn everything you can about your potential new client: their job history, relationship status, personal interests. I don't bring these up directly in my first meeting with them, but I have a better understanding of their vibe and are able to engage them on a deeper level.

Simply don't make it about yourself or your company, but rather about them. Understand the needs/ problems deeply, and then see if your company is the best partner to tackle those.

I agree that prior to meeting firstly do research on the company and the individual you are meeting. Also attempt to understand their industry, customers and competitors. This level of research is important to demonstrate you really valued the time given for the meeting by the client. Take a notebook in with some notes and prepared questions and actively write responses. A bit old school but works. In conclusion always agree on next steps and a follow up meeting date. And great practise to follow up with a client email or sms thanking them for the time.

One thing I try to focus on is building a rapport with the client and organization. A great start is to ensure you arrive on time (either virtually or in-person) and prepared for the meeting. I aim to share some information about myself and organization, but it is important to be engaged and listen to their needs, concerns and goals. I want them to feel that I understand their needs and to be able to share enough information in the first meeting to showcase our ability to support them. Then it comes down to following through on agreed upon actions. Someone that says they will do something and then they don't will have a hard time gaining the trust of new clients.

Mind Your Communication: Avoid slang, jargon, or humor that could be misunderstood. Clear and professional communication is key. By following these tips, you'll project confidence and establish a strong foundation for a successful client relationship.

In addition to being punctual and professional, leverage a client success framework to showcase how your services can benefit them in achieving their goals. Highlight success stories or case studies that resonate with their objectives, illustrating how your solutions have positively impacted similar clients in the past. By focusing on the potential outcomes and benefits for the client, you establish credibility and build confidence in your ability to deliver results.

One of my ex-bosses taught me punctuality. He believes you automatically have an advantage in a meeting where others meet you at the venue. ?? First impression matters a lot. Be punctual, look good and smell nice. To put it frankly, look the path.

Key take away: - Be professional - Confidence mirrors power and authority - Neat and punctual (dress to impress; even in a professional setting)

Ein professionelles Auftreten ist unerl?sslich - auch, um einen makellosen ersten Eindruck zu hinterlassen. Gleichzeitig muss man aber auch darauf achten, dass man sich nicht in eine unnatürliche und unauthentische Position zwingt. Das führt aus meiner Sicht dazu, dass man sich verkrampft und sich steif verh?lt, anstatt uns selbst zu sein und eine echte Verbindung herzustellen. Menschen sind komplex und vielschichtig - zum Glück. Und manchmal sind es gerade die kleinen Macken und Unvollkommenheiten, die eine Verbindung herstellen k?nnen.

Seek to understand. Not sell. Go into the discussions with the mindset that you are there to help. To improve the lives and wellbeing of the organization as well as the leaders running it. The more you understand, the more you'll be able to make a lasting impact. Ask questions. Try to align on what they really need and want. Go beyond the superficial knee jerk "business objectives," and get into a place that is more emotional and complex. Find out what they as individuals need as well as what the business needs. Find out how your direct contact will define personal success. How will they be evaluated? What success metrics will help them get their EOY bonus? What will make them look good to the board?

Definitely do research the client and be prepared to address how you can address their needs, but at a first meeting you should be doing far more listening than talking. Ask questions based on your research, and use the funnel question technique to uncover the real pain points. Use phrases like "Tell me more ...", and "Help me understand ..." to encourage the discussion and make the client feel more comfortable.

Its quality over quantity, when its comes to giving a human a touch in your conversations. Do they remember you after the conversation? What do you want them to remember you with? - Your choice of words? Body language? - Punctuality? - How interested you were in listening? - Did your values and business ethics showed prominence? - Your expertise in the domain with genuine information? - Your honesty in seeking and giving feedback? - Relatable and relevant solutions and examples, tailor-made for them? - Your approach to keep in touch with them to build a longer relation? By incorporating these, you can create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere that lays the groundwork for a successful partnership.

I would add that keeping an eye contact is important. Not staring at your client, but a gentle 2-3 second at a time soft eye contact helps build a trusting relationship. Another helpful technique is mirroring, which is following your client's posture, pitch of voice, speech duration, etc. This technique helps build rapport.

Listening needs to be active, In the sense that you need taken what your customer is saying as opposed to waiting to hear a preconceived message or trigger. I have found that.I will often have an agenda in mind, that may well shift based on what is happening organically in the conversation. In my experience, This can often lead to a stronger sense of delivering for the customer and at times being able to balance between what a customer may express that they want, or think they want, vs. determining what it is.They really need and what will give them a better return and the value.

You need to be genuinely interested in trying to help the client irrespective if that leads to business or not. Authentic genuine conversation is what wins you that trust. Not trying to be everything to everyone is key. If you can’t add value (solution fit, engagement model, pricing etc.) then admitting that you are not the best partner, though difficult, will go a long way in cementing you as a trustworthy partner.

it's of course essential to listen and understand your client's needs, one should always aim to leave them enriched by your interaction. Make it a goal to offer insights or knowledge that enhances their understanding of their business or challenges. This approach not only demonstrates your expertise and relevance but ensures that regardless of the meeting's outcome, you've provided immediate value. This strategy helps build trust and credibility, showing that your primary focus is on contributing to their success, not just securing a new contract.

Many a times we go client and ask "how can I help you". Many people feel that asking a right question to a client & getting their perspective is the key to build relationship with the client. I feel, why should you not tell your client: what can they do to enhance the value in their business & how you can help them. So for me value to client is: not just solving client's problem, but also to pose a potential opportunity, & offering support to leverage that opportunity.

Use cases from similar industry would be the most relatable, and easiest way to showcase your value. If you have worked with someone in similar industry, without having to divulge confidential information, give a broad perspective about how someone with similar problems have approached you and how you delivered value to them. This would help them relate better.

In the business world, showing value is basically presenting the results that you or your business creates. After listening carefully, start the questions by connecting the service/product that will bring results with one or more customer examples in a quantitative way, that is, presenting numbers.

Der letzte Eindruck ist der Bleibende. Also am Ende des Kundengespr?chs blo? nicht nachlassen! Eine Zusammenfassung der besprochenen Punkte und eine klare Vereinbarung der n?chsten Schritte helfen, Missverst?ndnisse zu vermeiden und sorgen für Klarheit auf beiden Seiten.

After summarizing the key points and outcomes, directly ask your client if the proposed next steps align with their expectations and address their needs. Phrase your request for feedback in a way that invites specific comments, such as, "What aspects of our plan do you feel most confident about, and where do you see potential for improvement?"

I believe that having a good first meeting is fantastic, but turns into being entirely useless if their are no actions agreed and follow up's been scheduled. A short summary at the end of the meeting is therefore recommended to check if all participants have the same understanding of the meeting and also allows to agree to next steps.

I call this feedforward. Seek for honest opinions and ask questions about the meeting. Every response should lead to a forward movement on the potential business dealings

It is key to remember that, however good or bad you feel about the meeting, it's the client's opinion that really matters. The simplest, yet often the hardest way to find that out is to ask. Be respectful, but straightforward and honest. Ask for the client's thoughts, impressions. Listen actively (!) and make notes. Seek clarification. Show the client that you're not just asking because that was next on your list, but because you truly seek their input, regardless whether they will do business with you or not. Be open to feedback and willing to learn. This is an opportunity to show the client that you are genuine and are treating them as a human being, respecting their ideas and point of view.

Here is my take on this point: 1) Set Clear Expectations: During our initial meeting, I'll discuss the frequency and preferred method of communication for follow-up interactions. 2) Be Responsive: I'll demonstrate responsiveness by promptly replying to emails, calls, and inquiries. 3) Personalize Communication: Tailoring communication to their preferences and needs helps build a stronger connection. 4) Provide Value: I'll strive to provide valuable insights, updates, or resources relevant to their interests or industry. 5) Schedule Regular Check-ins: Agreeing on regular check-in points ensures ongoing communication and keeps them informed. 6) Seek Feedback and Express Appreciation: Both of these factors are of equal importance.

Any human interpersonal relationship takes time to build. And our first meeting is just the first meeting in a (hopefully) long journey. Reflecting on this first interaction via a follow-up and adding more value, for example, sending materials you have discussed at the meeting, addressing points that needed further clarification, etc., puts a new building block in a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship. It is your task to be proactive, and a customer will certainly appreciate this approach.

Never leave a sales call without agreeing on concrete next steps! That is step one. Without setting next steps, you wont know what to do to follow up. Next thing you should be doing is logging in CRM what you need to do, with reminders so you dont lose track of the client. Finally, ensure any follow ups that you do send are valuable. "nudging this up" or "just checking in" does not cover it.

This is a great article. I also make it a point to find common ground, take time to learn about them and humanize the whole interaction rather than make it purely about business alone. This has fostered trust and camaraderie as well.

By prioritizing trust and mutual benefit in your communication, you strengthen the client's confidence in your partnership and pave the way for long-term collaboration. When following up with the client, focus on maintaining regular communication and providing ongoing support. Use a client success framework to track their progress, address any challenges or issues that arise, and ensure that they continue to derive value from your services. Demonstrate your commitment to their success by offering resources, assistance, and guidance as needed. By staying engaged and responsive, you reinforce your dedication to the client's satisfaction and deepen your relationship with them over time.

Some of the best advice I received early in my career still rings true here, and interestingly enough, it was advice my grandfather gave me. -Be early, not just on time. It shows respect. -Be interested, not interesting. You never know what you’ll learn. -Be prepared! It’s the Scouts motto for a reason. -Be kind, and honest, always. The golden rule *always* applies. I’m not saying I *always* do these things in every interaction (not just new clients), but I always strive to this realize this level of authenticity and I find, it makes things easier and more fun!

Many times, I ask for an interesting and/or odd non-work related fun fact. It often will make them smile and talk about their passion point. Listen well; don’t counterpoint for every point, and don’t multitask while talking to them. Respect their time - keep the meeting as brief as you can and as long as THEY need.

To ensure a client is comfortable during their first interaction, warmly greet them, establish rapport through active listening and empathy, and clearly explain the process. Additionally, create a welcoming environment, respect boundaries, and follow up afterward to reinforce availability and appreciation for their time.

Stop talking, start listening. Stop 'sending'- start 'receiving' Most clients are looking to share their thinking: so listen to their ideas/dilemmas, and start to build a constructive conversation around this.

Do not sell yourself in the first meeting until and unless, there is an emergency that needs to be addressed. The first meeting should always be about understanding the business model, their strengths and challenges faced by them on a short term as well as long term basis. Later catch-up once a month to see how they're progressing, this would help build trust first and then the work would automatically flow. Never rush!