adminAuctioning of such lunches has been happening since 2008. Last year’s bid of about US$3,5 million was the highest.
I am sure that if most of us were to get the chance to have lunch with Buffett, we will be shaking and clueless about how we will strike a conversation with him.
I am sure most of us will be in a quandary about what we would say to him, how and why? Remember that Buffett is the second richest man in the world.
Maybe let me bring it closer to home, if you have the opportunity to meet a potential business partner or client that you have never dreamt of meeting in your life, what would you say to him or her?
Would you start complimenting their dressing, the room or would you fall at their feet like what the Jews did when they saw Jesus in the Bible?
You know this could be the make and break moment of your life, there is no time to stutter or talk of the unnecessary dress-up conversation.
Past winners of the auction have said they believe the time with Buffett was worth the price they paid in the auction.
The lunches often continue for several hours as Buffett answers their questions.
In this instalment I would like to share a few tips on how you can handle these big occasions that have the capacity to overwhelm you.
No matter what potential exists in you, if you don’t make a good first impression you could lose a crucial business partnership.
No matter how nervous you feel, make sure you are punctual for the meeting.
Don’t be too early for the meeting, but if you are, find something to do, preferably something that will make you feel comfortable so that you don’t find yourself with sweaty or shaking hands.
Make small talk before the meeting and be prepared to listen attentively and talk when it is appropriate.
Conduct research of the person you are meeting. Review details of the person’s personal achievements, recent accomplishments, new initiatives and key projects.
Prepare some questions that are directly related to those achievements beforehand. Big people do not have time for fumbled conversations!
Ensure you dress appropriately, a formal business suit with dark colours is appropriate to present a neat, clean appearance.
Make sure that you feel comfortable in what you are wearing. Be sure to be specific on the value that you are likely to bring to the other person.
Always demonstrate creativity and innovative thinking, which reminds me of my days as a young business professional during which I experienced my fair share of awkward moments.
Sometimes you can be dining and you notice that the other person has food on their face or worse still you have offensive food in your mouth and you need to relieve yourself of it.
I have also been in situations where I have found myself struggling to determine an appropriate time to excuse myself to visit the toilet.
However, as I became more experienced, I became better at handling and moderating conversation.
I also started reading current news that demonstrated that I had a balanced nature.
I worked on the three-point rule of business dining that I carry to this day. When you meet the host at the restaurant, it’s good to shake their hand and thank them for the invitation.
At the end of the meal, thank them again and do not forget the next day to send them a thank you note.
Or maybe emulate what other people have done. Warren Buffet has been heard saying that many of the questions he gets at the lunches are about non-business subjects such as family and philanthropy.
Till next week, may God richly bless you.
Shelter Chieza is an advisor in management issues. She can be contacted at [email protected]
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