When I worked in new business development
for a major beverage company,
I had what I called
a “meeting binder.”
I had binders for specific projects
but I also had a binder for
those general, usually last minute meetings
I’d be pulled into.
These meetings were often
with the executive team
and the reason I was asked
to attend
was because I was expected to add value.
I was expected to KNOW.
This meeting binder
contained the answers to
the most recently asked questions.
Historic ingredient costs,
Past project performances,
Recent company financials,
etc.
Other attendees would rattle off numbers.
I could SHOW executives
the results.
This impressed the hell out of them.
As Karen Keller shares
“Have visuals on hand.
Even if it’s not a powerpoint presentation,
carry something in your pocket
or on your laptop
just in case people start asking
for more visual proof or answers.”
If executives can see your information,
they are more likely to believe it.