It's Cold in South Florida - Let's go to the coffee shop.

After living here for over 20 years, this is the first time I have seen a frost on the cars in the morning. It's unusual, different, out of the norm, and you get to see a different side of things while wrapped up in several warm layers. And according to the forecasters, we're going to be chilled all this week. So how will that affect business?

The sales forces will be a bit reluctant to go door to door and coffee shops will do well. Maybe a trip to one of the many local coffee shops is in order with the intent, of course, to expand my network.

How do you strike up a conversation with a complete stranger at a coffee shop? (you're welcome to comment)

Being from Britain where talking about the weather is a national pastime, it's an easy intro, but I like to practice my networking skills, so here's a few opening lines...

"For me it's too cold to be knocking on business doors this morning, how about you?"

"Do you think business owners will take pity and let me show them what I have because it's so cold out?"

My purpose is to solicit a response from them while letting them know that I'm out there pushing. I want to give them the chance to let me know what they do, or to invite me to give my elevator speech (see an earlier post), so my off the hip icebreaker is intended to act as a segue for both of us.

So when I go for my morning coffee at the local Dunkin or Starbucks, I'll be prepared for that chance meeting with another business.

Do you make chance happenings or do you wait for them?

Oh, first post of the year. Have a Happy, Healthy, and Wealthy 20Ten.