Questions to Ask at a Meeting that Includes a Meal

By Maria Marsala

You may not believe this, but I'm an introvert. And I know that it's not easy being an introvert and a successful business owner, too.

Being known locally, even if you have a virtual business, is something every business owner must do to build credibility and a stellar reputation. Even the Internet Guru's attend networking meetings and speak to groups as a way to market their online business.

Attending a meeting of an organization or association may mean three types of networking opportunities – pretty overwhelming and nerve racking for an introvert who is not prepared.

• There might be networking time before the meeting and usually that's the time to get to know about someone's business.
  
  
• Then there is sit down time; where most likely "someone" will be in charge of making sure that everyone does a roundtable introduction (your elevator speech in two minutes maximum) as your cards are passed around the table.
  
  
• The socializing part with people who are sitting next to you.
  

Below are questions you can ask, as you sit at a table specifically to eat and wait to hear a speaker. These questions are more personal than the questions we'd ask in a situation that is more about networking. So often, we forget to ask more personal questions of people. And we lose the opportunity to connect with them on a deeper, more personal level – a level that's not about "the sale."

1. Where do you live? How long have you lived there?
   
   
2. Tell me about yourself.
   
   
3. How did you find out about this meeting?
   
   
4. What did you do before you started your business?
   
   
5. What other meetings or groups do you attend during the month? Has attending them helped your business?
   
   
6. What sort of things do you do in your personal time?
   
   
7. Where do you volunteer?
   
   
8. What's the most important thing you've achieved in your life?
   
   
9. What goals are you reaching for personally?
   
   
10. Do I have your permission to send you a complimentary copy of my online newsletter? (If he freely gives your his business card.)
    
    
11. Would you like to meet for a cup of coffee? If you suggest a meeting, then it's your responsibility to pay for the coffee or meal you suggested. You both may decide differently at the event; but you've taken the lead and that's proper business etiquette.
    

©2006 A former Wall Street trader, Maria Marsala is a nationally known author, strategist, trainer, and owner of Elevating Your Business. Maria helps with financial, technology, and other independent service-related businesses accelerate profits and improve productivity – faster. Learn more now at www.CoachMaria.com. Published in Networking Today, May, 2006