Wearing a business hat for your coffee chat - Episode 13

In this episode, I look at how business owners approach informal coffee chats and one-to-one conversations. I talk about the difference between a genuine business conversation and a disguised sales pitch, why these conversations are an important part of creating opportunities, and how to make better use of them before, during and after the meeting. Main Topics • The difference between a business coffee chat and catching up with a friend. • Why genuine conversation and business conversation don’t have to be mutually exclusive. • Why creating opportunities becomes the business owner’s responsibility after leaving employment. • What to think about before a coffee chat, including what you want to learn and what you want the other person to know. • How to talk clearly about your business and what you’re currently looking for. • Recognising possible referrals, introductions, collaborations and client opportunities during the conversation. • Following up on actions and opportunities afterwards Key Takeaways • A coffee chat between business owners can be informal while still having a business purpose. • Being strategic about a conversation doesn’t mean treating the other person transactionally. • Business owners need to actively create opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive. • Being specific about what you do and what you’re looking for helps other people identify relevant opportunities. • Useful coffee chats can lead to referrals, introductions, collaborations, recommendations or potential client relationships. • A conversation doesn’t need to produce an immediate opportunity to be worthwhile. • Following up on next steps helps turn conversations into ongoing business relationships. • Effective business conversations can remain warm, genuine and human while also being commercially aware. Beyond the Corporate Hangover Podcast (link to listen or subscribe): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... https://open.spotify.com/show/033hFE6... https://truefans.fm/beyond-the-corpor... Connect with me! LinkedIn:   / emily-dorschler   Instagram:   / nurtureworksbusiness   Newsletter: https://nurtureworks.uk/newsletter