From BlackEnterprise.com

Getting to know someone new can be daunting, especially when you don’t know the other person’s intentions. It takes time to peel back the many layers that may reveal a sweet heart or rotten core, alike. Many of us have learned — the hard way — to keep our guard up and set realistic expectations for a first date. And when it comes to business, being ready for a first date  is equally important as it is in a romantic setting.

It takes four adoptable roles to be a good business date:

1. Prepared investigator. Don’t treat your business relationships like blind dates. Your instincts can guide your final judgment, but you still have to do your homework. Go trigger-happy on Google; check your social networks for common contacts and ask for honest insights. Take the time to research the history and expertise of the person and their company. Being prepared doesn’t just give you the upper hand — it also allows you to pre-qualify your date and know enough background to break the ice for a more engaging conversation.

Check out the other three roles on BlackEnterprise.com.

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