12 Unexpected Places To Host Great Client Meetings

Holding meetings with clients is a given. But where you meet can make a big difference. So it's time to challenge yourself and get out of the ordinary and start holding those client meetings in better places than you are used to.

Making space

Skip the office, skip the hotel lobby, and skip your local Starbucks. Instead, pick from this list of unique places to meet that allow some one-on-one time, yet shows that you aren't the status-quo thinker.

1. Library

Meeting at a local library and finding an empty study room is an awesome way to get a meeting done. It's clean, quiet and free.

2. Boat

Try renting a sailboat or powerboat for your meeting. Get back to nature and have a great one-on-one meeting. Just be sure to take along sunscreen so your client doesn't go home burned and cursing the excursion.

3. Outdoors

Hold a meeting while sitting around a large fountain. Flowing water brings about a white noise that gets rid of distractions in public settings, and is relaxing, too.

4. Spa

Rent out a meeting room at the spa. It is relaxing, super quiet and comfortable. Spas often use aromatherapy as well, so you may have the power of natural scents working to help you out in the background.

5. Racetrack

Go to the racetrack and get the excitement flowing through the veins as horses run the track. Build off that excitement to sell to your client.

6. Diner

The greasy-food diner is a hit, and this old school meeting place is actually back in vogue.

7. Park

Find a nice park or garden where you can meet. Being surrounded by nature is calming and helps you think better.

8. Hike

Invite your client to take a hike. It's a great way to connect with your client and nature, and it helps to get the blood flowing.

9. Golf

If you need to keep the client's attention over the long haul, you still can't beat a round of golf.

10. Universities

There are tons of empty spaces available at any given time. And there is something special when you are meeting with a client at a school–you feel smarter. My favorite is holding meetings at Princeton.

11. Client's house

Holding a meeting at the client's house is a little risky, so never impose the idea. But it's fine to offer to make the trek out to them. Some clients like the idea.

12. Your home

People do business with people they know, like and trust. Inviting someone to your home to talk business helps overcome all three of these barriers.

Make it count

When you get past holding a meeting in your office or the client's, you will find that you feel more confident, comfortable and engaged. And those things alone will help you be more successful in getting sales. Where you hold your meeting helps to set the mood, so think about what type of tone you want to send and then plan accordingly.

Thanks to Mike Michalowicz / Open Forum
http://www.openforum.com/articles/12-unexpected-places-to-host-great-client-meetings?cid=em-openf-SBweekly-20110531-10&extlink=em-openf-SBweekly-20110531-10