Business meetings range from gatherings of small groups of people to large conferences with hundreds, or even thousands, in attendance. It is those mega meetings that many people find stressful. Here are pointers to help you make the most of business meetings and relieve some of the stress you may feel when you find you have to attend one.
Before You Go to a Business Meeting
At the Business Meeting
- Introduce Yourself to Others: Making the first move may make you feel less vulnerable.
- Smile: Smiling (only when appropriate, of course) helps you look approachable.
- Psych Yourself Up: Remember the qualities others like about you.
- Get People to Talk About Themselves: Everyone likes to do this and it will take the focus off you.
- Beware of Alcohol: You don't want to become too uninhibited.
When the Business Meeting is Over
- Take Home Something Valuable: This could be an idea you may be able to implement or a new person to add to your network.
- Keep in Touch: Maintaining contact with those you met at the conference will make the next conference easier.
