FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Simon Lever
Featured Contributor at Bizcatalyst 360° - Author, creative writer and storyteller. Voluntary activities: Steward: Award winning 'Kings and Scribes Exhibition; Birth of a Nation'. Community Center - Trustee.
The initial impression; the split second when meeting a prospective client or attending an initial interview is crucial to an harmonious and constructive meeting.
Whether it be the eye contact without 'staring' to hard and long or the hand-shake, the type of clothes to wear, initial demonstration of knowledge of the company. How does one begin? Whether it be a meeting with a prospective customer or a first interview, there are commonalities.
First of all, research the company. Feel comfortable with the knowledge gained. Knowledge is strength and can provide a quiet form of confidence, not arrogance. A typical question be it an interview or client meeting is, 'what do you know about our company?' It is advisable to deliver a very brief description. And state why the potential interest.
In the Netherlands, France and Germany, it is considered a bit direct to launch into the 'business aspect' prior to talking about the weather, or topical subject, just to 'break the ice' to gain rapport. Having had the delight of winning business in the above mentioned countries and also Italy, Sweden and Spain, it is a wonderful learning curve to adapt and listen 'two ears and one mouth'. The initial greeting may be in for example, Dutch, but hopefully a speedy switch to the international business language. More to follow