What Kind of Person Are You?

Starting a company is tough enough without having your personality get in the way.  Interactions and first impressions are essential.  “You never get a chance to make a first impression.”

A recent discussion with a company prior to a presentation to a VC highlighted this issue, as did the joke presented later.  The company scheduled a first meeting and management considered it as an informal discussion.  The amount of time for the presentation was 30 min.  It may be informal, but this is the first time the management will see the VC.  Why take a chance on having the investor remember them as anything less than a stellar investment opportunity?  They should prepare to make their same high quality presentation.

When having partnering meetings, the same thing applies.  Always have your prospective partners leave wanting to interact with you, not wondering what value you bring to the table.  First meetings are always important.  This goes for all meetings.  The joke below highlights this in a different way:

“TheHaircut

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut.

After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you , I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you , I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop.

 The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

 Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman was very happy and left the shop.

 The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

 And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

 BOTH POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON!”

This story says that some people come with a hand full of “Give Me”, while others are willing to share the wealth. When it comes to the final analysis, how do you want your first impression to be?

You can follow Taffy Williams on Twitter by @twilli2861 and you can email him with questions at twilli2861@aol.com and his company website  or photo website. You can also find him in the group Startup Group on Linkedin. Other articles can be found in the Charlotte, NC- small business section of Examiner.com. This blog is now listed on StartUpRoar  and on Alltop®.