Securing A Great First Impression For Your Investors Meeting

It’s easy to disregard the power that first impressions have, because we can often be quite nervous as to if we will make a success of them or not. This is especially true when it comes to mission-critical events such as meeting with a business investor, who could make your life much easier or much harder over the hour meeting you have with them. Of course, if you’re even meeting with potential investors in the first place, you’re likely in a worthwhile position. 

However, despite the fact that an investor can overlook a bad first impression, and despite the fact that you likely have more to you than this somewhat petty approach, it’s important to nail this too. Why? Because it tilts the odds even slightly further into your favor. If you knew that even 5% of your business success was based on select circumstances, you would likely do what you could to see that circumstances come to fruition. Well, there’s no need to be figurative, because this is precisely that situation.

Let us consider the following tips to help you make the most of this:

Pay Attention To The Details

How organized is your meeting room? Have you used commercial window cleaners to help the building look spotless? Is the reception desk there to greet said guest with a smile and welcoming attitude? How about your parking environment, do they have a reserved spot to help them get into your offices the moment they arrive with a careful procession? Do you have the tour planned out, and are the staff aware that said investors are coming to greet and view the work premises? All of this and more can be utilized to ensure your business is not deceptive per se, but shows the absolute best of itself from the offset. After all, paying attention to the details is something you will be expected to do when taking someone’s money for any project, so it’s best to start now.

Arrange Your Presentation

Keep your presentation short, sweet and to the point. Ensure that questions that could be asked have already been considered. Keep all the necessary details to hand. Ensure that all staff in the room with you are briefed on this. Know it front, backwards, up and down. Ensure that you are confident in your speech, and have a forward-facing approach in everything you say. On details that are up in the air, use phrases such as ‘we understand/understood,’ rather than ‘we assumed’. It’s efforts like this that can make the most difference in the end.

Consider Your Negotiating Hand

Do you have the capacity to negotiate well? What terms are you searching for, and how might you prepare your introductory presentation to message this? How can you respectfully implement your needs and desires while also being flexible and listening to the investor? Furthermore, what iron lines do you have that simply cannot be crossed, such as offering any more than 15% of your operation for this cash injection? When you consider your negotiating hand carefully, you can avoid coming to conclusions on the spot.

With this advice, you’re certain to gain a better business deal.