Show Your Professionalism
i had a chance to meet vendors this week. and everytime i meet new people, im excited. my previous employment has taught me well; always prepare your name card, your pen and notepad. and so i did! got ready all the necessary documents and off i went.

one thing about this meeting was, i went to the meeting together with my Strategic Marketing Director. and man, when you see how these people interact in the business setting, you drop your jaw in awe. or maybe i'm really green in doing all that kinda business-pitch stuff. here's what i mean...

i was seated in the meeting room already with the vendor, all poised and ready to meet my Director. Director came into the room, shook the vendor's hand, exchanged name cards and started the conversation going. i sat there feeling superbly ashamed of myself, especially when vendor pulled out her LV name card holder asking for my name card. she sat down with grace, and pulled out her pretty LV organiser and wrote some notes using a DKNY pen. when my Director asked for paper to draw, i passed him some recycled paper and my red-leaf black pen. he turned down my offer, and pulled out his Mont Blanc fountain pen from his jacket. how cool was that?

that 30-mins session taught me the basic rules of any business meeting. yes, materialism aside, carrying a nice pen, presentable organiser and business cards is a showcase of sincerity and forms the basis of professional business language.