Friday Poll: Your Favorite Off-site Meeting Place

    • 1373 posts
    April 8, 2011 12:16 AM PDT

    Happy Friday, everyone!

    Here is this week's poll question:

    What is your favorite off-site* location for meeting with clients?

    *i.e., not at the radio station and not at the client's place of business

    Looking forward to reading your replies!

     

     

     

  • April 8, 2011 3:52 AM PDT
    At a fun, community type event as my guest. We chat about everything which eventually leads to business. It's a relaxing way to have the client "let their guard down."  The next time we meet is all business.
    • 3 posts
    April 8, 2011 6:25 AM PDT
    Starbucks
  • April 8, 2011 12:17 PM PDT
    A number of years ago we owned a limo.  (Don't ask... it had to do with a company that could not pay their bill and we got a car...).  One of my top people, Ron Nickle liked going to a business, getting the person in back of the limo and have the driver drive them around while he sold them a schedule and played them the spots.  Why did we stop?  Hell if I know... but I do remember that it worked.
    • 73 posts
    April 8, 2011 1:22 PM PDT
    The member who said "Starbucks" had the best answer.  A coffee shop or small cafe,even a fast food restaurant where you can get a table with a little privacy lets you conduct your business in a relaxed and non-threatening manner.  It is neutral "turf" which also can make the potential client more at ease.
    • 994 posts
    April 9, 2011 4:16 PM PDT

    I put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, and have business meetings at the coffee shop inside Dissmore's IGA, one of my favorite clients.  Half the price of Starbucks and just as tasty, with the added benefit of the bakery right there.  It's always interesting to me how many of these prospects and clients will bring up the maple bar commercial (attached) and mention how it influenced them to try the Dissmore's bakery as a result.   (Once they try them, the maple bars pretty much sell themselves!)

     

    Isn't that the kind of thing that makes this business so enjoyable?

    • 994 posts
    April 9, 2011 4:16 PM PDT

    I can just picture it.  Very cool!

    • 11 posts
    April 11, 2011 8:26 AM PDT

    a little cafe..I agree, there is a small centrally located cafe..where a lot of business people eat...so you've got a nice small coffee shop...and you could potentially meet some new prospects...hp

    • 14 posts
    April 13, 2011 12:19 PM PDT
    A Library is nice for meetings. It's well lit, and free, but not suited for every client. A smaller venue like a coffee shop is also nice.
    • 6 posts
    April 15, 2011 7:42 AM PDT
    Any coffee shop that is a convenient location for the client.  We have this really neat old farm home that has been turned into a coffee shop, and you can go off into your own little room in the house, or stay in the "living area" with other customers.