FORBES Insights: Executives Prefer Face-to-Face Meetings
Executives PREFER Face-to-Face Meetings
FORBES Insights‘ latest report shows that executives prefer face-to-face meetings. Wow – As “The Queen of the Business Lunch,” I could not have put that better myself. The reasons why they preferred IN PERSON, face-to-face meetings? There is no comparison:
- To build STRONGER, more MEANINGFUL business relationships (85%)
- Ability to read body language and facial expressions (77%)
- More social interaction, ability to bond with co-workers/clients (75%)
- Allow for more complex strategic thinking (49%)
- Better environment for tough, timely decision-making (44%)
Complaints about technology-enabled meetings were that they often resulted in disruption and delays. The ONLY reasons anyone said they preferred technology-assisted meetings were bottom-line, such as saving time, money, or location flexibility.The choice is yours: STRONGER, MORE PRODUCTIVE business meetings or technical difficulties?
As a Business Relationship Expert, I discovered a long time ago that those relationships that were built over a business lunch, an outstanding networking event, or even a round of golf lasted forever. We bonded. Apparently, I’m not the only successful executive who knows that, although I may be the only one who wrote a book about building business relationships over lunch (“The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2″).
A compromise can be reached, too, by holding smaller meetings with an assist from technology. But to build long-lasting, solid business relationships, seize some face time!
BTW, the Ritz-Carlton weighed in on the report to reach out to business travelers by offering “Meetings Within Reach,” a value-added opportunity for organizers of on-site seminars, executive retreats, and other corporate events. Their message is “It’s not extravagant IF it produces results.” I’d like to give special thanks to Bruce Himelstein, Ritz-Carlton’s senior vice president of sales & marketing. He acknowledged that technology can never replace the “traditional methods of dealing with people in person…” I rest my case … there is NO Substitute for QUALITY “Face time.”
Notice: I am currently seeking annual contracts with companies who would like to send me out to speak to their clients on the importance of quality face time and how to build productive business relationships. E-mail me to explore the possibilities.
Being “The Queen of the Business Lunch”
Even a "Queen" needs a new logo once in a while!
I often get asked about my nickname, “The Queen of the Business Lunch.” It’s been years since I wrote the award-winning book “The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2″ and even longer since I earned my nickname. I thought since I just got a new logo, I would take this opportunity to share some of my business lunch tips and business relationship expertise.
First, the nickname. It came about as a combination of many things. The nature of my business was such that I merely needed to stay in touch with many of my clients. Once I sold them, they were sold, so I didn’t need to do any more convincing. By the nature of my work, all I could do was take them out to lunch, build my relationships, keep them up-to-date on what was going on with my business and our industry, their industry, and so on. What better way to do this than over lunch?
I took great care of my clients, and since I had so many of them, I would book lunches weeks in advance. This of course meant that I, too, was booked weeks out. Friends in the business would call me to book lunch. “How about next Tuesday.” “Can’t…I’m booked already.” You can imagine how long it would take to find a “free” day!
It wasn’t unusual for me to be booked as much as three or four weeks out. And THAT is when the name calling started. My peers would tease me and say, “You don’t really work … You are just the Queen of the Business Lunch!” I took great offense at this, at first! I worked VERY hard. It’s never easy to make something LOOK easy. Of course my friend were just teasing. They knew how much business I was booking and that it didn’t happen by itself.
That is why I wrote “The Art of the Business Lunch.” I had hosted more than 3,000 client lunches (do that math – at a conservative 4x a week (considering business breakfasts, mixers, and lunches combined), times 52 weeks a year, times 18 years…) and I saw my sales increase by more than 2,000%! I knew I was on to something. I wanted to share my Business Relationship Expertise with business professionals everywhere.
Here are some quick tips:
- Always make a reservation.
- Don’t skip lunch; if you’re crunched for time, meet your clients for breakfast! You’ll save money, too.
- Prepare for casual conversation. Avoid awkward silence by knowing a little about a lot.
- Choose a restaurant with a great menu, lots of selections, and a medium price – unless it’s a special occasion.
- If you can wait, don’t bring up the subject of business until AFTER everyone has eaten. We tend to be more receptive to new ideas on a full stomach.
For more tips, click the RSS link to subscribe to my blog, or click the products menu button at www.RobinJay.com or Amazon.com to order “The Art of the Business Lunch.” Remember – how you behave while at a business lunch can MAKE or BREAK a deal! Don’t risk it – stack the deck in your favor by being prepared.
WHY is the Business Lunch SO IMPORTANT? Watch this quick video to discover the answer….
The Art of the Apology: I’m SO SORRY!!!
Use Caution When Sending a Big E-mail Blast!
Do you work with a DATABASE? I do – and in my attempt to UPDATE my newsletter list, I made a mistake that upset a LOT of people! Lauren Bloom, attorney, author, and speaker, wrote a book called “The Art of the Apology,” and I think I need her help!
As you may know, I have a wonderful, FREE, e-mail offer called “7 Steps to Networking Success” which I set up years ago at Robin Jay.com. If you sign up on my home page, you will receive the best of my networking tips that will support my status as a Business Relationship Expert! I get great feedback from it and I know it has helped a LOT of people!
Order Lauren Bloom's Book: The Art of the Apology - You never know when you might need to apologize!
Okay, Robin…cut to the chase! I imported 2500 names (from my list of about 3,000) to new database software. WHILE I was on the phone with the guy from the software company, he asked, “Is this campaign ready to go?” I said, “YES … but I need to modify the first page.” Can you believe that between the “YES …” and the “But” – he hit SEND!!!?!?
Needless to say, my “Welcome to my new newsletter” went out as “Thank you for signing up for my 7 Steps to Networking Success program!” Many people were upset – understandably – as they had NOT signed up for a new, 7-part email program!!!
Oh Lauren – I can’t take it back! Of course I sent customized notes to EVERYONE who was upset, sent them a FREE e-book, and apologized profusely. The LAST thing I EVER want to do is annoy people with unwanted e-mail! But the people on my list are ALL people who had given me their card! Either they have heard me speak, met me at an industry event, or somehow “opted in.” It’s been so long since I’ve been in touch, I can see why they might not remember me! They had been getting my newsletter (the last one went out in JANUARY!) I was just trying to switch over things to expedite my mailings. Ay-yi-yi!
It has become glaringly apparent that people are WAY TOO STRESSED! The feature I LOVED about my software is that it has a “double opt-in”system. If you receive something from me and you don’t want it, just do nothing. You won’t hear from me again UNLESS you click the link that says “OKAY!” But people did not read down far enough to see that. It also offers a huge UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of every e-mail. I would think professionals would be savvy enough to know that! Instead, they took the time to send me ugly e- mails! (When all they HAD to do was NOTHING – simply nothing.) Wow – I’m so SORRY! My only crime is wanting to stay in touch and keep my contacts updated.
Apparently, many of us have have lost our sense of humor along with our tolerance. I URGE you – if you are so stressed that you are snapping at someone that you know – even vaguely – when they are TRYING to help you to become more proficient at networking – PLEASE take a break! Sip a latte, enjoy a night out, or have a massage!
I get so much e-mail I don’t want – and I hit the JUNK folder or the DELETE key. Life is really so much simpler than we make it! I apologize again! I hope you are enjoying your day. And, if you need to apologize to anyone for anything, tell Lauren I sent you. 