5 good things that happen over coffee

Hours of solitary work is intrinsic to startup success but so is getting out and meeting people. Here are five reasons why

By Kia Abdullah

The coffee meeting is the chameleon of the business world. It can be a casual catch-up with a colleague, a lifeline for a struggling startup, or a segue into a difficult conversation.

It inspires Eureka moments, ignites lifelong friendships and sparks extraordinary ambitions. It can uncover a genius co-founder, secure pertinent press, or just help relieve some stress.

There’s much to be said for plugging in and spending solitary hours at your computer, but getting out and meeting people is just as intrinsic to startup success. Here are five good things that happen over coffee.

You forget who’s boss

A relaxed setting is more conducive to honest feedback and candid discussion, especially when one party is more senior than the other.

Silicon Valley luminary Ben Horowitz writes in his book that one-to-one meetings are intrinsic in running a successful business. He lists a number of questions to cover in these meetings including ‘what’s the number one problem with our organisation?’, ‘what don’t you like about the product?’ and ‘if you were me, what changes would you make?’

For most people, these questions would be deeply difficult to answer honestly, especially in an official setting.

Meeting informally over a coffee balances the power dynamic and encourages honesty.

You’re proven wrong

Okay, so no-one likes to be proven wrong but what if you’ve just made a major decision based on faulty reasoning?

What if you’re planning a project, launching a product or even starting a startup based on flawed research or illogical reasoning? Wouldn’t you rather know?

A meeting with an expert, experienced professional or even just an interested party can dislodge your faulty assumptions and present a new perspective.

Exposing your idea to a wide range of people will help identify weak spots and stop you falling further down a rabbit hole.

You find a way forward

Whether it’s growing your professional network, securing funding or resolving a thorny issue, meeting someone new can help you find ways forward.

You may be surprised how many people are willing to offer their time if you just ask.

I recently met with a Berlin-based filmmaker who wrote to me and asked if I could offer some advice on filming locations in east London. We met for a coffee in Liverpool Street and I talked her through the various areas and attractions. She acquired a wealth of local knowledge from a lifelong Londoner just because she asked.

It’s a cliché but don’t reinvent the wheel; let others help you get where you want to go.

You may find a mentor

Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg writes in Lean In that you should never explicitly ask someone to be your mentor. This is contrived and unnatural, says Sandberg, explaining that a mentorship should be a natural progression.

A coffee meeting is a low-risk way to meet new people and lay the foundation for a more substantial relationship.

It allows you to gauge the other person’s personality and expertise, and see if there is a rapport.

You build confidence

Networking is a two-headed beast. On one hand, it is a useful tool in developing your career or business. On the other, it can be an awkward process full of small talk and insincere promises.

Some people are natural networkers while others do it because they know they have to.

The more you meet people, the better you will become at doing so with ease.

Coffee meetings happen in a relaxed atmosphere on neutral ground, offering a great way to build confidence. They not only allow you to identify social cues and polish your etiquette, they help you become better at articulating your goals and ideas — invaluable practice for meetings that matter.

Swap ideas, get advice and find solutions with Thirtymin, a new app that lets you book a 30-minute meeting with anyone, anywhere.