| Times change. "Green is the new black." Who | | | | What took us so long to make the transition? |
| could have imagined that two clashing forces - the | | | | The time is ripe to establish a few coffee-culture |
| Fashion Media and Birkenstockers - would stand | | | | guidelines:o Location counts. Pick a spot near a |
| united by this simple phrase? Surpassing its | | | | potential client's office, not across town.o Plan on |
| creators' wildest dreams, "green is the new black," | | | | one hour, tops.o Be Prepared. Not in the official |
| has brought these disparate groups together. No | | | | Baden-Powell sense, but notebook, pen, your |
| doubt about it, the environment is on everyone's | | | | company brochure, some conversation starters |
| lips and minds. | | | | and background on the person you're meeting.o |
| But in the corporate world, there is another trend | | | | Punctuality reigns. There is no excuse, short of a |
| ready to make the jump from fringe to | | | | tsunami, that is acceptable. But just in case, be |
| mainstream. We're not talking about a life-changing | | | | sure to exchange cell phone numbers.o Business |
| phenomenon. Not another Kyoto Accord, but a | | | | attire mandatory. Whether you've just left your |
| milestone, nonetheless. "Coffee is the new lunch." | | | | home-office or are on the way to meet your |
| There, you have it. A simple concept, but one | | | | trainer, jogging suits are for the gym. Period.o |
| charged with implications. | | | | Dedicated tea drinker? No worries - plenty of |
| Blame it on the economy, or clever Starbucks | | | | choices from Earl Grey to chamomile. If you're |
| marketing or scientific research on coffee's | | | | the host, be certain to suggest a top-of-the-line |
| antioxidant properties. Or maybe cappuccino has | | | | Mochaccino, or one of its relatives, to your guest |
| been waiting in the wings ever since martini | | | | before placing your own modest order.o |
| glasses disappeared from Power Lunch tables? | | | | Frappuccino, mocha latte, or macchiato - frazzled |
| The point is, everyone's going for coffee. Not as | | | | by all that barista lingo? Check this out for |
| in "break," but for networking and deal making | | | | confidence building: The protocol of who pays is |
| and sharing information - the business of doing | | | | simple. If you extend the invitation, you pick up |
| business. | | | | the cheque - or in this case, pay the cashier. And |
| Lunch itself is still around - in food courts, | | | | remember the tip jar.o Turn off your cell phone |
| cafeterias and even park benches at this time of | | | | and forget about it. Off limits. Same for texting. |
| year. But when it comes to one-to-one meetings, | | | | Nothing goes on the table except your cup. The |
| "coffee" is at the forefront. There are some | | | | one and only one exception - you're a doctor on |
| practical reasons for this shift to coffee shops. | | | | call.o Follow-up. Acknowledge the meeting and |
| Compared to sorting out a lunch menu, ordering | | | | send an e-mail within a day or two. |
| coffee is a breeze; a coffee shop is also neutral | | | | So, when you realize you've just said; "Nice to |
| territory. When you consider the distractions of | | | | meet you," and you meant it - the next step is |
| lunch at a restaurant, plus the time factor and the | | | | simple. "How about coffee next week?" That's it. |
| cost - this change of venue makes sense. | | | | Nice and easy, in less than five minutes, you've |
| Especially when you're just getting to know | | | | made a cappuccino-connection. |
| someone - rather like a first date. | | | | |