Impressing a potential business partner does not have to include expensive dinners or trips out of the country. There are many different factors you can consider to help you with making a good impression. In fact, you may be surprised at how impactful taking into account the small details can be. Here are just a few ideas for you to consider if you have a potential business partner visiting.
Be Transparent and Honest
Your potential business partner is an outsider looking in. They may have heard of your business, sure, but only you can give them the inside scoop. Your business partner needs to know the good and the bad about your business in order to make an educated decision about becoming your partner. If there is anything that could be considered “bad,” tell them the plan that you have in place to resolve whatever issues that regards. Always tell the truth about your business and its operations, and, remember, there is always room for improvement.
Share Solutions to Problems
It’s no secret that everyone wants to be a part of something great. Give your potential business partner a few examples of how your company is working to solve various problems. This can be done by describing the impact that a certain product has or unique ways that your company increases productivity among employees. If you have statistics at hand to prove the impact, you’ll have more credibility and have a better chance at impressing potential business partners.
Maintain a Clean, Impressive Environment
Having a clean office and overall business is one way that you can impress your potential business partner. A business that is neat and clean shows that you care about your business’ image. If you know that this potential partner is making a visit, take action before their arrival. Make sure carpets, windows, and other areas of your company’s building are clean. This includes both the interior and exterior—after all, the potential parner’s first impression of the business will be from the outside.
For the exterior, you can make sure that there is no litter and that any greenery (grass, shrubs, etc.) are well-maintained. As for the inside, it would be in your best interest to invest in a commercial cleaning service to get the job done correctly the first time without a hassle.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make sure it’s your absolute best!
Prove That Your Business Is Different
There’s a chance that your potential business partner has had many different proposals from other businesses. It’s your job to show them how you and your company differs from the others. You have to show and prove how your company is different and the best choice for them to invest in. This can be shown through statistics, product quality, and company culture.
A huge part of your company’s culture is your employees. Make sure that those who will be interacting with this potential partner are focused and knowledgeable about the business. Remember, your business team is only as strong as its weakest link. Make sure that all of your employees are dressed for success. This doesn’t mean, however, that they have to all be wearing formal clothing. A business casual look—think pants that aren’t jeans and a button-down shirt—should be good enough.
It’s not as hard as you may think to impress a potential business partner. Always be confident about your business and the hard work it took to make your business a successful reality.
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