For me ... no. I have an initial phone consult and set up an on site consultation ... for which I charge. There is nothing in a coffee shop or cafe that would enable me to assist them. I suppose everyone has their comfort level... but I find myself able to communicate by phone in a way that helps me determine if I can help them and if they are committed enough to pay for my time to consult. I will say that I provide a LOT for the on site consultation... sometimes helping them to actually determine what they need and how to go about it. It is very worth their money. My motto is excellent service for excellent pay. My mentor taught me that people do not value what they do not pay for. It has stood me well. And I might add that an initial phone consult helps me to determine if a job/person is the right fit for me. For what it is worth! I waited til I wrote my post to read the other responses.. which I think says... find what works FOR YOU!
As an interior designer, I know it can depend on the situation. It would be easy to say no to meeting at a coffee shop or cafe, but if a problem arises and the client isn't at home and calls me to chat quickly, then I will do what I need to do. And this happens to me all the time. Suddenly, a client called who was not home; they were out shopping and needed me to meet them to see an item. We met at the closest coffee shop, and I must say that it was one of the most productive meetings. Neither a client's home nor my office should take precedence over the client's needs, nor should either be the only place to discuss a design project. And this is especially true if the client desperately needs to see me on the spur of the moment for a quick conversation. I recently had a client call me at the last minute while I was on my way home, asking me to see a flooring sample and get my opinion. She suggested meeting at the nearest coffee shop, and it turned out to be a great meeting. So, sometimes being creative is more than just trying to stay professional, because professionalism applies everywhere. When a client needs help, addressing the issue is more important than meeting in a specific space. Showing the client that you will go above and beyond always makes a good first impression.
I always meet my clients at their offices unless they specifically do not want to meet there. For the type of work I do (commercial), I really need to see their existing spaces anyway to learn more about the client's business.
However, I do frequently meet sales reps (I don't already know) at coffee shops, because my business is in my home. I do this for security reasons and also it seems more professional than meeting in my home.
I always meet my clients at their home/cottage since I am a residential designer and I need to be on site to discuss the project. Then, if I need to meet a working client during the day, I choose a nice restaurant to meet over lunch, or a nice coffee place if time is short. But this is a rare situation.
Frankly business can be done virtually any where for a first meeting or touch base on the job but make sure that when you choose the place and time you dont want it to crowded because outside distractions can easily happen and a loud group can over shadow what your client os saying and you may miss something crucial nice quite shops are the best.
It depends what for. Any meetings relating to their design project I usually conduct in their home (most important meeting place), in a store (if we are looking at tile for instance) or in my office. The design work is so hands on, we often need to be in the space or show lots of samples in our design studio or their home. Sometimes if there is a need to talk about the collaboration, clarify how it's going, concerns about how it's going, it can be a good idea to meet in a neutral space like a café to have an honest conversation/check in on the collaboration.
depends on the feng shui of the space. if its too yang, you are not agreeing. if its too yin, there is no motivation. try to find perfect balance in coffee shop. select a corner that is free from distraction, away from washrooms and barista counter. preferred to be near window where ample sun energy is available if its day time. evening try to be under light. Remember, if your own energy is amazing; any coffee shop is good. In my personal professional life, I close deals easily in Starbucks, Mcdonalds, Tim Hortons. positive mindset is so important. Many Blessings to you.
Coffee shops and cafes can be a good place to meet a client depending on what their requirements. It serves more as a how we will get to know each other rather than working through a project. When we are working on a project it really is best to be in a space where we can spread out, talk/visualize the space, and minimize distractions!
It depends on your business type. If you dont have an office and your client isn't a business owner with an office then a safe neutral location like a quite coffee shop should work. Chosing a less busy time or day should help.
YES, to initiate a prospective client. Bring a large screen laptop and scroll through your portfolio. You can always start a conversation when someone seems interested in what's on your screen. Pick a time when women are there, i.e. late morning, early afternoon
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For me ... no. I have an initial phone consult and set up an on site consultation ... for which I charge. There is nothing in a coffee shop or cafe that would enable me to assist them. I suppose everyone has their comfort level... but I find myself able to communicate by phone in a way that helps me determine if I can help them and if they are committed enough to pay for my time to consult. I will say that I provide a LOT for the on site consultation... sometimes helping them to actually determine what they need and how to go about it. It is very worth their money. My motto is excellent service for excellent pay. My mentor taught me that people do not value what they do not pay for. It has stood me well. And I might add that an initial phone consult helps me to determine if a job/person is the right fit for me. For what it is worth! I waited til I wrote my post to read the other responses.. which I think says... find what works FOR YOU!
As an interior designer, I know it can depend on the situation. It would be easy to say no to meeting at a coffee shop or cafe, but if a problem arises and the client isn't at home and calls me to chat quickly, then I will do what I need to do. And this happens to me all the time. Suddenly, a client called who was not home; they were out shopping and needed me to meet them to see an item. We met at the closest coffee shop, and I must say that it was one of the most productive meetings. Neither a client's home nor my office should take precedence over the client's needs, nor should either be the only place to discuss a design project. And this is especially true if the client desperately needs to see me on the spur of the moment for a quick conversation. I recently had a client call me at the last minute while I was on my way home, asking me to see a flooring sample and get my opinion. She suggested meeting at the nearest coffee shop, and it turned out to be a great meeting. So, sometimes being creative is more than just trying to stay professional, because professionalism applies everywhere. When a client needs help, addressing the issue is more important than meeting in a specific space. Showing the client that you will go above and beyond always makes a good first impression.
I always meet my clients at their offices unless they specifically do not want to meet there. For the type of work I do (commercial), I really need to see their existing spaces anyway to learn more about the client's business.
However, I do frequently meet sales reps (I don't already know) at coffee shops, because my business is in my home. I do this for security reasons and also it seems more professional than meeting in my home.
I always meet my clients at their home/cottage since I am a residential designer and I need to be on site to discuss the project. Then, if I need to meet a working client during the day, I choose a nice restaurant to meet over lunch, or a nice coffee place if time is short. But this is a rare situation.
coffee shops cafes
Frankly business can be done virtually any where for a first meeting or touch base on the job but make sure that when you choose the place and time you dont want it to crowded because outside distractions can easily happen and a loud group can over shadow what your client os saying and you may miss something crucial nice quite shops are the best.
It depends what for. Any meetings relating to their design project I usually conduct in their home (most important meeting place), in a store (if we are looking at tile for instance) or in my office. The design work is so hands on, we often need to be in the space or show lots of samples in our design studio or their home. Sometimes if there is a need to talk about the collaboration, clarify how it's going, concerns about how it's going, it can be a good idea to meet in a neutral space like a café to have an honest conversation/check in on the collaboration.
depends on the feng shui of the space. if its too yang, you are not agreeing. if its too yin, there is no motivation. try to find perfect balance in coffee shop. select a corner that is free from distraction, away from washrooms and barista counter. preferred to be near window where ample sun energy is available if its day time. evening try to be under light. Remember, if your own energy is amazing; any coffee shop is good. In my personal professional life, I close deals easily in Starbucks, Mcdonalds, Tim Hortons. positive mindset is so important. Many Blessings to you.
Coffee shops and cafes can be a good place to meet a client depending on what their requirements. It serves more as a how we will get to know each other rather than working through a project. When we are working on a project it really is best to be in a space where we can spread out, talk/visualize the space, and minimize distractions!
It depends on your business type. If you dont have an office and your client isn't a business owner with an office then a safe neutral location like a quite coffee shop should work. Chosing a less busy time or day should help.
YES, to initiate a prospective client. Bring a large screen laptop and scroll through your portfolio. You can always start a conversation when someone seems interested in what's on your screen. Pick a time when women are there, i.e. late morning, early afternoon