How to get and utilizeCOFFEE

MEETINGSfor networking and learning

AGENDA• What are Coffee Meetings• How they work • Benefits• How to get Coffee Meetings• Considerations for your

meeting• The end of your meeting

COFFEE MEETINGS• AKA Informational Interviews• Get to know professionals in a specific• Industry• Occupation• Profession• Company

HOW COFFEE MEETINGS WORK

• Meet at a convenient location • Agree on a time limit between 20-40 minutes• Let them talk• Ask specific questions:– What skills do they need for their current work – What is great about their job– What do they struggle with in the position ?

• Commonality – CPA

BENEFITS• Future relationship and collaboration• Understand practical needs of company,

position or career • Overcome preconceived ideas of who you are

HOW TO GET COFFEE MEETINGS

• Know your elevator pitch • Past + Present+ Value Proposition + Future

• Self identify your– Skills – pg. 2-7– Accomplishments – pg. 9-16– Values & Work Preferences – pg. 17-23– Goals– Who you would like to meet – Network

HOW TO GET COFFEE MEETINGS

• Identifying your Network – Take a piece of paper out – Create a table with five columns– Write down, in the first column, anytime that you

interact with more than one person• Examples :

– Recreational – Religious– Volunteer – Weekend meet-up

– In the SECOND COLUMN list the people you interact with

– In the THIRD COLUMN identify where those people work

– In the FORTH COLUMN identify what they do – In the FIFTH COLUMN identify where they have

worked in the past and what else they are involved in

• Get involved – attend events, training• Be Vocal • Ask– The people you already have in your network • Flatter people• Be sincere – know and share WHY you want to talk to

them – For referrals

HOW TO GET COFFEE MEETINGS

• How to contact a referral • Phone – prepare a script• Email• Linked-In

– Know your audience – Identify immediately who referred you– Know and share with them why you want to meet

them– Be prepared to hear Yes or No

• Part of the National Connector Program • Halifax 2009

• Launched in Alberta originally in 2013• Partner Organizations

• ERIEC (Edmonton)• CRIEC (Calgary)

• Open to any CPA member or Student

CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR MEETING

• Preparation– Research– LinkedIn Creep– Create a list of questions

• Dress Professionally • Be on Time• Turn off distractions• Be appreciative

THE END OF YOUR MEETING• Ask for a referral • Write a THANK YOU within 24hrs • Follow up with them – Outcomes of referral meetings– Advise they gave that you have taken

• Add them on LinkedIn• Keep them in mind moving forward – Who or what could you connect them to

SUMMARY• Informational Interviews• Informal 20-40 minutes• Gleam Information • Referrals• Professionalism • Starting point for future

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