THIS IS HOW YOU PREPARE FOR THAT IMPORTANT MEETING
Even with the most fun job in the world, there are boring, heavy, and extremely important meetings. When I was editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, a large part of my time was spent in meetings left, bilateral, trilateral, or whatever on the right, strategic meetings above, and creative sessions below.
Coffee on your suit
Of the biannual board meetings we had with the French management, everyone had a solid stone in their stomach about six weeks in advance. I even remember a publisher who, quite tense, took a plane to be on time for the meeting in Paris and encountered a flight attendant who spilled his coffee all over his neatly pressed suit. It seems that rarely has anyone cursed harder at 8000 meters in the air.
Meeting with a lens
I managed to spend my first board meeting in Paris with only one lens in my eye. At the station, I decided to take out my day lens because I always have a few spare lenses lying around in my bag. Turned out that wasn't the case. One lens seemed better than none, but I had a headache by the end of the day.
If someone can know
Meetings and I. I have been around the block, have blundered, but no one ever noticed. So let me advise you. Then you will see that meetings become a breeze and maybe even a pleasure.
Preparation
Is key. And that goes far with me. If I really have an Important Day, even my car goes through the car wash. Tank full and you're prepared for everything. You will see that after the meeting, the CEO suggests going out for lunch together, and someone has to get in your car. For such a board meeting with our French management (which took place once a year in the Netherlands and once in Paris), I have sometimes fished a full diaper out of my car. It would be something if the chief director had to step into my spicy-smelling car.
Order and structure
Even if there is chaos in your life, during important meetings you show that you have everything under control. Here is the checklist
- Laptop is charged. Moreover, you have wiped it with iclean. This shows that everything is in good hands with you. Also your laptop. That romantic vacation photo of you and your love or that of your adorable children you have of course replaced with something more professional. Your neighbor doesn't need to see that. We're not here for the coziness. Maybe you have even crafted something nice yourself that is about the project you are working on together. Show that you have done that as well.
- The same goes for your mobile. Charged and fresh with a business screenshot.
- If you write, like me, with a fountain pen, then it is full. For safety, you have a spare with you. Otherwise just a few more pens that always work. And also one for the one who has forgotten their pen.
- Your Moleskine notebook is tidy and organized. Loose bills you have left at home.
- Now your outfit. As much as I love to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to fashion, I advise keeping it safe for meetings. Everything should make sense, including your outfit. If you want to make a statement but not say much, choose red. Furthermore, I would go for fashionable but not too flashy. Again, attention to class and detail matters. That also says something about how you work.
- Don't forget your perfume. I advise something strong, fresh, and current. The cologne from Dior Homme is the perfect meeting scent. Yes, even for you.
- Make sure you have nail polish that doesn't clash. The particular from CHANEL is perfect for this. And, do it neatly.
- For the done feeling, also ensure you have a matching underwear set (just for the feeling) and your legs are shaved and your toenails painted.
- Make sure you have the minutes, the agenda, and everything you need for this meeting printed neatly. Maybe even in duplicate. Also for that colleague who forgot. Normally that would have been you, but not anymore. Ha!
- Furthermore, you naturally have all the ROI’s, brand prisms, spear points, targets sharp. It is now about rolling out, picking up, pushing through, aligning, keeping on track, and blowing the blinders in the same direction.
This is what you wear:
1.Blouse, € 105, Paul & Joe
2.Dior Homme, Eau de Cologne, € 63,90, Dior
3. Le vernis, € 23,95, Chanel
4. T by Alexander Wang skirt, € 250, Net-a-Porter
5. Earrings, Wouter & Hendrix
6. Leather belt with buckle, € 29.95, Zara
7. Black pumps, € 59.99, Steve Madden via Invito
8.Artemis Necklace Gold, € 130, Ivy & Liv
9. Mont Blanc Pen
10. Trousers, € 150, Filippa K
11. Classic Guardian Angel tas, € 525, Vlieger & vanDam
