When I prepare for these meetings, I use a list similar to that of a journalist doing a story. I ask: Who are they? What do they care about? Where do they come from? When did they decide to attend? Why are they here? What do I have that I can offer them? How do they want to feel when we conclude? Could I go into one of these roundtable meetings and just wing it? Probably. Would I be able to connect with people as well? No. Would I add value to them the way I would like? Absolutely not!
