They say you shouldn’t mix business and pleasure. But, there are definite reasons why you might want to use the intersection of business and pleasure to your advantage. For instance, if you take a potential client out on a trip of some sort to discuss business, but the location of the trip is exotic or at least interesting, then what’s wrong with that?
Five pieces of advice when it comes to mixing business and pleasure include – proactive planning is the most important stage, don’t lose sight of the business goal while planning, brush up on business psychology before making your play, learn how to differentiate yourself from other business contacts, and use your best permission marketing tactics.
It’s All About Proactive Planning
One of the best things about certain cruise companies and their websites is they will often include planning tips for vacations. If you’re going to be going the mixing business and pleasure route, one that you have to have is a concrete plan. If you’ve never gone on this particular type of cruise before, that information is invaluable because it will make you look like a professional without having to have had prior experience. That’s a lot of street cred passed down to you by the company in question.
Keep Your Business Goal In Mind
It would be really easy to get caught up turning a business and pleasure trip into just a pleasure trip. It would be a terrible loss to spend all kinds of time and money on a potential client though, who doesn’t take you seriously at the end of the journey because you never brought up any business matters. At least in your own mind, keep the business goals central, and then wrap the entertaining bits around that. Keep your business pitch in mind at all times.
Brush Up On Business Psychology
Before you go on your trip, brush up on business psychology by reading the latest business books. Even a quick reading of the synopsis will help you define your goals and the way to get to them efficiently on your trip.
Learn To Differentiate Yourself
Even taking a client on a great trip won’t do any good if you don’t make them remember you as someone special. Focus on what makes you who you are, and find some way to make sure that you communicate that to your client during the trip.
Use Your Best Permission Marketing
Permission marketing is a relatively new concept, but one that is catching on in the business world. If you use permission marketing, then during your trip, you only give your client the information that he or she wants and finds valuable, because you only give them information they specifically ask for.