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Networking, business connections, sales, trusted relationships
How to handle a first meeting so it leads to a relationship, not a “we met and forgot” outcome
Why do some meetings lead to continuation, while others don’t?
What does a truly good meeting actually start with?
At the core of any meeting is respect: for time, for attention, and for the person.
What does it mean to show that respect in your actions before and during a first meeting? Read on.
What does it mean to show that respect in your actions before and during a first meeting? Read on.
How not to drag out a meeting and get to the point quickly
A 30-minute meeting means getting to the point in 10 minutes and discussing opportunities in the remaining 20.
How to talk about yourself in a way that’s interesting to the other person
If you talk about yourself, do it through the lens of value for the other person. Not your whole life story, but “here’s what might be relevant for you.”
Do you need a presentation at the first meeting—or does it get in the way?
Slides shouldn’t replace the conversation. People come to talk to you, not to PowerPoint, Google Slides, or a PDF report.
Why is attention in a meeting more important than any arguments?
Literally. No phone. No open laptop. Attention is capital. And if you give it, people want to return it.
Why are pauses in a meeting not awkwardness, but a tool?
They’re not awkward. They give both you and the other person time to think. The dramatic pause… yes—that’s your ally!
How not to come across as “just ticking a box” in a meeting
This isn’t a “box-ticking” meeting. It’s an opportunity—and often a one-time one. Better to say less but make it count than to fill the space with prepared lines.
What should you обязательно think through before the first meeting?
What you want to learn, what you can offer, and what you want the person to remember about you. That’s your anchor. Without it, the meeting will drift.
How do you actually get to that first meeting (and stop avoiding new connections)?
To make that first meeting happen, you need to go out and meet people. Start conversations.
After all, the first meeting is the entry point into a relationship. You don’t have to be liked by everyone. But if you’re attentive and genuine, your chances of continuing grow significantly.
These are the kinds of meetings that spark real projects.
After all, the first meeting is the entry point into a relationship. You don’t have to be liked by everyone. But if you’re attentive and genuine, your chances of continuing grow significantly.
These are the kinds of meetings that spark real projects.
Leonid Bugaev
is an expert in business communications, a corporate trainer, speaker, and conference moderator. He is the author of the books “Mobile Marketing”, “Mobile Networking” and "People Like Me: 99 Rules for Building Connections That Actually Matter."
Follow Leonid on Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss new publications. Also take a look at his business training programs on networking, B2B sales and trendwatching, as well as his books and interviews.
Follow Leonid on Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss new publications. Also take a look at his business training programs on networking, B2B sales and trendwatching, as well as his books and interviews.
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