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Submitted by mircohering on
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Hi everyone,

i have been listening to the meeting podcasts a few times as I really dont like the way my meetings are currently going, but i am not sure how to handle meetings with clients. For my own internal meetings following the model seems to work nicely, but whenever i meet clients i just cannot see myself starting without the client being in the room. As a consultant i feel my responsibility is to the client rather than to my own effectiveness.

Does anyone have experience with handling client meetings and especially clients who tend to come late?

Thanks,
   Mirco

Anandha's picture
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Mirco

I work at a consulting firm and do experience late clients often. I usually walk by the clients desk a few minutes before the meeting letting them know where the meeting is and we will start as soon as they are ready. I wait for key clients to be present before starting. Though I always aim to finish on time or early. I do follow the rest of the guidelines like agreeing objectives and agenda up front, parking lot, summarise meeting, agree next steps, lots of energy, meeting notes, etc. Even with a late start, the rest of the effective meeting guidelines can be followed. At all investment banks I've worked at in the UK, my meetings tend to be a step up from the rest of the meetings the clients are used to attending. If there are lots of people using the blackberry (often the case when people come in late), I start with - "Let's take 30s to wrap up email, phone, black berry, laptops..."

Good luck.

Anandha

Anandha's picture
Licensee BadgeTraining Badge

Mirco

I work at a consulting firm and do experience late clients often. I usually walk by the clients desk a few minutes before the meeting letting them know where the meeting is and we will start as soon as they are ready. I wait for key clients to be present before starting. Though I always aim to finish on time or early. I do follow the rest of the guidelines like agreeing objectives and agenda up front, parking lot, summarise meeting, agree next steps, lots of energy, meeting notes, etc. Even with a late start, the rest of the effective meeting guidelines can be followed. At all investment banks I've worked at in the UK, my meetings tend to be a step up from the rest of the meetings the clients are used to attending. If there are lots of people using the blackberry (often the case when people come in late), I start with - "Let's take 30s to wrap up email, phone, black berry, laptops..."

Good luck.

Anandha