Coffee meetings create a casual setting to build a strong professional network effectively. Direct interaction over a cup of coffee offers flexibility to get to know potential contacts. This article will discuss how to use coffee meetings to build valuable connections and advance your career.
Building a professional network
Meeting for coffee is a classic networking strategy that has stood the test of time for good reasons:
- Establishing a personal connection: Meeting in person allows individuals to create a more personal connection with each other, which is more difficult to achieve through digital communication channels.
- Informal setting: The casual setting of a coffee shop creates a relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to building stronger relationships. It also allows individuals to feel more comfortable and open up for sharing professional goals and aspirations.
- Relationship-building opportunities: A simple meet-up for coffee lets people engage in activities like active listening, asking questions, and sharing stories, which are essential in building trust with potential contacts.
- Flexibility: A short coffee meeting can fit any busy work schedule, making them a convenient way to network.
- Human connection: Meeting face-to-face allows individuals to read each other’s body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues that can help build trust and establish rapport, creating a more human connection.
Read more: Business networking using your private club community
Keys to productive coffee meetings
- Reaching out: Consider whether the person is a stranger or someone in your existing network. When reaching out to strangers, make sure to introduce yourself first and why would you like to meet. If the person is in your existing network, focus on emphasizing the benefits of the meeting to both parties.
- Purpose: Even though it is just a casual meeting, you still need to set a clear purpose in mind. Think about the topic that you want to discuss and what both parties can gain from this meeting. Additionally, be sure to inform the other person of the meeting objective in advance, so they can come prepared with any necessary information or questions.
- Timing: Keep the coffee meeting short and sweet, no longer than 30 minutes to an hour. By keeping the meeting brief and focused on the key topics, you are showing respect towards the other person’s time. If both parties feel that there is more to discuss, a follow-up meeting can always be scheduled.
- Pick a coffee shop: Make sure to pick a location that is convenient for both parties. If you know the other person well, pick the one that suits their preference. You can consider choosing the Central cafe as it is well-known for its cozy atmosphere and high quality coffee, which make it an ideal place for any catch-up.
- Who’s going to pay: It is generally expected that the person who makes the invitation will pay for the coffee. However, it is always a good idea to offer to pay your own way or to split the bill even if you are the invitee. By doing so, you are showing your goodwill and desire to connect in response to the other party’s invitation.
- Follow up: Remember to send a thank you note or email together with any relevant information that arose during the meeting. Doing so allows you to reinforce the connection and set the stage for future networking opportunities.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Lack of preparation: This mistake will surely cost the time and effort of both parties. To avoid this, always do your research beforehand. Know who you are talking to, their background, current projects and/or recent accomplishments. Also, prepare thoughtful questions and topics to discuss during the meeting.
- Being overly self-focused: Remember, the meeting should benefit both parties. Ask open-ended questions to encourage the other person to share their story. Balance the conversation by sharing your own experiences when relevant.
- Neglecting follow-up: This causes you to miss out on the opportunity to reinforce the connection you have established. Express your continued interest by sending a personalized thank you note after the meeting which shows gratitude for their time. Keep the conversation alive by suggesting potential ways to collaborate or sharing relevant resources.
- Failure to establish clear goals: Not having a clear goal prevents you from achieving desired outcomes and wastes time. To avoid this, prepare and communicate your goals to the other person when scheduling the meeting. This clarity will guide the conversation and make it more productive.
In short, coffee meetings are a powerful tool for building a strong professional network. They provide an informal setting for meaningful conversations and facilitate relationship building. So, grab a cup of coffee and unlock the potential for a meaningful connection.
