Steve Blank Podcast How to get meetings with people too busy to see you
Apr 24, 2025
Discover the art of requesting meetings with busy professionals without sounding desperate. Learn how to offer genuine value instead of favors. Explore the cultural nuances of networking in Silicon Valley through engaging personal experiences. Gain insights on enhancing professional interactions by emphasizing mutual benefit, making your request stand out in a crowded inbox.
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Classic Meeting Request Anecdote
- Jason, an entrepreneur, once used the common request "can I have coffee to pick your brain?" to try to network.
- Steve Blank receives many such emails daily and often filters them out because they are unoriginal and vague.
Silicon Valley's Pay-It-Forward Culture
- Silicon Valley culture encourages helping others without expecting immediate returns.
- This tradition started in the 1960s semiconductor business and continues in the tech community today.
Offer Knowledge to Get Meetings
- Prioritize meetings by offering to teach something valuable in return, not just asking for time.
- This shifts the meeting from one-way advice to a two-way exchange of knowledge and respect.