Somewhat warm face to face meeting - advice on approach
Hi guys,
A little background I'm an IS broker at a middle market shop in NYC. I've been sending deals to the 2nd in command at a lean developer. I eventually want to work there, have sent him a good amount of deals deals/spoken to him on the phone once to follow up.
I'm assuming he somewhat remember's me and I want to meet face to face/build our relationship. At this point they have not been interested in any deals we have sent them. Is a good way to approach this to say we have x deal & explain it (not going to lie) say I'll be in the area by his office next week and ask if we can discuss it in person/meet? My thought process is he may say yes to meeting/coffee even if not interested in the deal.
Or is the way to go about this to look up more of his background and mention it on the call/go that route? "Saw you were interested in x, I do x too" blah blah. This developer is developing in great parts of the city and I would say is more fit for Eastdil/Cushman/CBRE then what our firm focuses on. Seems the people that work there only went to top schools like Penn/Harvard/etc and have top grad degrees. I went to a top 50 undergrad (close to 50 than 1 lol) and am not sure what value I can bring to land a position there. I'm worried about the mismatch in pedigree to be honest and that he's busy/doesn't want to waste time meeting in person if not needed.
Any advice?
So are you trying to get a meeting to pitch deals? Or to talk real estate development/career paths?
Personally, I hate the "I'm going to be in your area" line (sounds like old school sales sleaze IMHO), I think you need to either A. Offer a meeting to provide value or B. propose a meeting for advice/get to know you (aka networking).
If you are going for route B, just be honest. I'll take a "help me understand your career/my path" meeting 10x more than random sales call.
Thanks it's really #2 because I can just send the deal through email.
Any advice on the pedigree or if he's willing to meet that's good and I should call him up to ask? I;m thinking of writing until Friday in afternoon so he's not as busy to ask.
So, first, +SB for not using the phrase "non-target" to describe yourself, I did a post on this awhile back, call it a personal peeve... https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/what-wso-gets-wrong-about-target…;
Since, I found that link easily, you can just read my views on the whole school thing, also some great points by people in the comments, so read the thread!
Bottom line, for you anyway, the pedigree will only be an issue to the extent you make it one! It will live in your head, more than their head, trust me on that. (Personal note, I only have degrees from state schools that probably wouldn't make it onto top 50 lists, or be just outside somewhere. I get plenty of "targets" who want to work for me now, it really doesn't matter!!!)
I would just email him, and make it very clear this is for personal, networking get-to-know you purposes (not trying to pitch deals), be explicit. Also, I would not do on a Friday afternoon, that is the death of email zone, easily forgotten. Do whenever, this afternoon is fine. Since we are in COVID world, be sure to offer/suggest a video meeting, they may be out in the Hamptons or Florida or whatever, oddly this weirdness can be an advantage.
It's a random stab in the dark if he is the kind to take these meetings. Most people like helping people, all you have to do is ask. Some get annoyed by it, just assume he is the helpful kind and try, but don't take personally if you get ignored or get a "too busy" response. If you get the "too busy" or non-response, just try again in early January with a "Hey I figured you were caught up with end of the year stuff, so I'd thought I'd try again now", or be brave and ask during the holidays, people may get extra bored with free time this year, you never know.
In normal times, I'd take these meeting requests if they fit into my schedule. I would respond with, "My office is here (insert midtown address), if you can come on X day at X time, I'll meet you at the Starbucks in the lobby". In COVID times, even easier with video meetings!
Thanks I'll take a look at the thread. Sorry to be clear I meant call Friday since I'm assuming he isn't as busy, but I agree with the email point. I'm going to hold off on emailing him this week because we just sent him a deal. I'll email him next Wed/Thurs afternoon to see if we can get on a call before holidays then meet in person after New Year. Part of me wants to hold off and get my modeling down/be more competent so I'm prepared and don't waste an opportunity - thoughts?
I doubt he will offer you a job or interview you for one on the spot, so if you can get a meeting before the end of the year (I'd say 50/50 chance he is available), I'd take it. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Plus, you can ask him about your plans to improve your modeling skills, and then report back when you complete such items.
Reading your thread, but any way to make the email more about him than just what I want. Am I supposed to just ask to learn about his experience, make it clear it's not for work, and if he has time to grab coffee?
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