The
approach I most prefer from a stranger wanting to meet and
do business with me … is the following:
First, if they’re smart, this stranger will have made some sort of contact
with those professionals I already know and respect. If someone is sincere and
does this, it really helps. That’s because they get to piggyback on the
credibility of a mutual associate or colleague.
That goes a long way to getting my
attention.
Of course, they need to be in integrity
when mentioning any contact or involvement with a mutual colleague. They just
can’t name drop without having something of substance to back it up.
Now if this person is a total stranger,
the approach I respond best to is one that shows they’ve done their homework.
Show me something in writing!
Show me that you’ve thought this
through. Show me you’re serious. Don’t float ideas by me verbally. Give me
something tangible.
It could be: an executive summary, a flow
chart, something that I can focus and respond to besides just mere talk.
The
types of approaches that really irritates me, and
make me want to shut the door in someone’s face is:
Someone who’s out of integrity and
violates my values.
If you’re approaching me, understand
that you may have a million dollar idea, yet PLEASE respect me and my time.
I’m also not fond of someone throwing
wild numbers out about all the money we can possibly make together. If you’ve
got some statistics that support your financial claims, fantastic.
If not, and you talk about big numbers, I’m going to be ...
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