By W.L.:
Stand tall. Be confident. Make sure everyone can hear you. Don’t take too long. Be brisk yet clear. The list goes on and on. During every educational level we were taught how to present perfectly and keep the masses entertained at the same time. My question is, how does that translate into Business Meetings?
What makes a perfect business meeting? And why do I feel like the successful elite have some secret rules us petty folk don’t know about! Although I haven’t had as much experience as I should have (to write this article), I feel my study of social behavior compensates for that. So this is my interpretation. My list of secret rules:
Rule number 1: Don’t judge my list of rules, it’s here to help You out, or else you wouldn’t be reading this article in the first place.
Rule number 2: Research research research. Find out everything you could possibly know about the person/group you’re meeting with. From their political opinions to their favorite color. It all helps.
Rule number 3: It is ALL about how you dress. The people that tell you not to judge a book by its cover LIE (that idea most probably stemmed from the successful elite-trying to bring us down) . First impressions are what it’s all about. I’m not talking about where you got your suit from, its swagger, attitude, and personality that complete that first image your want to portray.
Rule number 4: Time. Set a specific time to your meeting. Preferably not a double zero number. 12:25 or 7:15. Being exact freaks people out. It shows them that you value your time. Being there on time is so old school. If it’s an out of work area, 15 minutes earlier is perfect. For an in office meeting, 5 will do.
Rule number 5: Seating. Give yourself the best seat. This is an age old trick seeing as whoever you’re meeting with has less to distract his/herself with.
Rule number 6: When put in a situation where you have to grovel, grovel. But keep it charming, don’t forget you’re meeting because you want something. Accomplish that.
Rule number 7: When someone proposes something unethical, illegal, immoral, laugh it off. No one likes a party pooper, and they didn’t schedule time off with you to get an earful of ‘what’s right’. The trick is never say anything that might come off as you agreeing to that opinion.(i.e. change the subject)
Rule Number 8: If at a restaurant/café always talk to your waiter beforehand and agree to the fact that you are paying. Tipping them graciously in advance works wonders.
Rule number 9: A little side-talk and gibberish is good. You want to be remembered as a fun person who can get the job done. Talk about what you know the other person wants to hear (rule number 2). Make it memorable.
Rule number 10: Learn from that meeting. Be it mistakes or pointers, note them down. Improve your game.
Rule number 11: Do not rely on my rules 
There you have it.
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I fundamentally disagree with Rule #1. I think you can also benefit from what we have to say. In the end, this is a collaborative blog whereby we all learn something from each other
I totally agree with Rule #2. I generally agree with Rule #3. I think Rule #4 is indeed imperative and I like how you suggested early arrival. Rule #5 is also great except one has to make sure they would respect the elderly and seniority of their peers. I love Rule #6. There is a very thin line one shouldn’t cross here.
I remember in a recent luncheon our CEO was artful in applying Rule #6. We were entertaining a client for lunch and the CEO says well (such and such) has a new product he wants to propose in 2 min. You know that in business there is no such thing free lunch and.. everyone started laughing.
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I like how you mentioned the dressing right thing. I think we’re more lax about the way we dress for work to Kuwait and us girls benefit from that because I for one hate wearing business suits. Having said that, some girls simply dress ridiculously for someone coming to work. Guys don’t have as much of an issue because it’s either dishdasha or business suits in most cases.
I’d add a few more rules that I think are relevant :
1) DON’T play with your blackberry during a meeting. It annoys the hell out of the rest of us. (Especially those of us ‘old school nokia users’ who have not yet bought one!
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2) If you’re sitting on a swivel chair try to restrain yourself from swiveling right and left and right and left during the meeting – it speaks volumes about how bored you are.
3) Lean forward to show interest. Don’t yawn. Don’t lie too far back into your seat. And don’t put your arm around the chair you’re sitting on a-la-gahwa-sha3bia.
4) This is an annoying rule but I heard it once and it makes sense: when someone talks in the meeting don’t just turn your head to him/her, you have to also turn your shoulders to show that you’re being attentive.
5) Don’t smoke without asking permission first. I for one get annoyed when someone smokes around me and I really appreciate it when they ask if it’s ok first. Maybe they ask because I’m a girl but I think they should also ask when they’re talking with men because some men have asthma and allergies and what have you and it’s not fair to torture them with your smoke for a one hour meeting plus they’ll remember you in a bad way later on.
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Keynesian Reply:
October 10th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Excellent points.
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K:I had meant for Rule #1 to sound a bit more sarcastic. It was supposed to read “Bring on the criticisim’:P
You can’t help Rule #5, if you follow the rules correctly you would be at destination x earlier than the elderly or senior, hence getting the better seat. In true form of compromise I’ll add “Always offer up your seat out of respect, but don’t take too long, you don’t really mean to give it to them”.
1001: That is true, men are much more at ease in work attire than women. I totally agree with Rules 1 and 4. As a blackberry user I know how strong the urge is to take it out and flip through it, but you have to respect who you’re meeting with. Keep it in the bag/pocket, and not on vibrate. And yes, smoking is a total no-no, no matter what sex you are. Thanks for the additions:)
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Saud Reply:
October 11th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I think men can do many stuff that women can’t ;p
Disclaimer: To all women out there, this is an insider joke so don’t get offended.
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