Hmm...maybe this not-working thing won't be so bad after all. This afternoon I went out for lunch in Mission Hill with a friend visiting from San Francisco. While we were chatting and reminiscing, one of the co-owners of the lounge where we eating overheard us talking about my art endeavors. When my friend left briefly to feed the parking meter, the owner approached me to ask about my forays into the art world and offered to let me display and sell work in his place in February! He has yet to see any images or speak to his business partner (whom I actually met a couple of months ago), but I think I've got another good prospect for an art showing on my hands. If everything works in my favor, I'll place a formal invitation on this blog.
Now that I'm thinking about it, that counts as a business lunch, doesn't it?
YES! This is EXACTLY why getting out of the office (or home office) is good for everyone! Congratulations on your successful lunch!
I wrote "The Art of the Business Lunch ~ Building Relationships Between 12 and 2" for everyone who is either too intimidated to go on a business lunch with a new associate, (it can be as awkward as a blind date- IF you are not prepared!), and for everyone who thinks they can achieve a higher level of success without socializing with clients.
Your story is just one example of how the unexpected can happen when you are OUT and ABOUT! And once your paintings are hanging in the restaurant, imagine the impact that will have on your business! If you had stayed in, you would never have made this tremendous connection.
It's so important, especially in this time of digital communication, to get that face time in - to socialize and get out from behind our desks (or easels). I think we should have at least FIVE business "dates" each week - whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner or networking events. We need to feel the pulse of business.
Posted by: | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:08 AM