Meeting With Clients When Working Virtually
by: Admin
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Many times I've heard people ask, "where should I meet a potential client when working for myself'?
My response to this is as follows: -
Regardless if you are a female or male who provides business services locally or virtually from your own home office, a few factors must be taken into account.
Firstly, your home and home office should be seen as private and not open to public invitation when meeting clients, unless of course you have an office that is accessible to the public, but remains separate from your private home entrance.
Many people I know and work with do have a private office entrance at their home, but these people have been in business for quite some time. However, if you insist on seeing clients in your home, the rule of thumb must be your safety, first and foremost.
Whilst I have met with clients in my own home office, which is nicely set up, I've always had someone in the home at the same time. For example, if the meeting is after hours, my husband will discreetly stay around the house, or if it is in the daytime, I make sure that one of my part-time staff will be working at that time for me.
When inviting clients to meet you at home, ensure your office is located on the ground floor if possible, and away from private sections of your home. I refer to bedrooms, children's rooms etc.
If your office is close to your private bedrooms etc, meet your client in the living room, which provides an informal, but dutiful place for a meeting.
Prior to a potential client arriving, ask a friend or family member to call you at certain times to ensure your safety while you are meeting with the client. You can make it sound like it is another client calling.
Should a potential client who is also self-employed and working from a home office wants to meet with you, I suggest that you mention meeting at a coffee shop, which is mutually convenient to both parties.
What I think is appropriate, and I know many other virtual professionals think the same, is to meet the potential client at a public place. I have met clients at coffee shops, restaurants and even at their corporate offices where other people are around. By playing safe, you do not place yourself at risk of being unduly harmed. Your own safety is paramount regardless of meeting at your office or in a public place.
If meeting a potential client at a public place, ensure you have told your partner, family member or a friend of the time and location of the meeting. Ask them to call you at a certain time, and or you will call them.
Unfortunately, in today's society we cannot be too complacent about our own safety when working from our homes, and it is better to err on the side of caution at all times, then to find yourself in a position that could have been avoided by a few simple precautionary steps.
About the Author
©2003 Janice Kalyniuk
Co-Founder - Virtual-Professionals.com
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