It's as bad if not worse if you have decision-making power at a place which is hiring and therefore are a client or potential client. For example, I (reluctantly) agreed to have coffee with a recruiter next week. I'm not looking for a job - he wants to be put on our preferred supplier list. So now he sends me an email - he wants to have a quick catch up call before we meet for coffee.
Since I think having coffee with him is a total waste of my time, how do I even begin to think about a pre-call for the coffee?
I usually say I would be happy to meet (or call or whatever), but what is the call about.
If they are good, they'll lay out everything they want to cover and be upfront. Sometimes, this works well and I'll bite and accept the service or we will know right away it won't work.
The worst is when the person thinks they want to build a relationship first and hang out and talk about other things and then they'll tell me what they want to do. I simply won't give someone I just met some business just because (or if) I like them.
Since I think having coffee with him is a total waste of my time, how do I even begin to think about a pre-call for the coffee?