The Japanese tea ceremony known as "chanoyu" is historically used to present a sense of hospitality and mindfulness. It strengthens the connection between the hosts and guests, all the while emanating senses of harmony and tranquility. It is truly a meditative experience, encouraging participants to be in the moment and to block out all other distractions. It is perhaps why many business meetings in the past are done in tea ceremonies, and why different forms of tea ceremonies, with varying degrees of formality, are used in modern business meetings. When confined to an office space, all parties present themselves with an air of professionalism, which is absolutely necessary for a successful business, but to truly progress as a business there needs to be a level of transparency that simply cannot be found in formal business meetings.
Nowadays, many important meetings take place over casual coffees or teas, or even alcoholic drinks. The purpose can vary, but the goal is always the same: to find out personality traits. Documentation and the numbers aspect of running a business are important, but being a personable person can make a huge difference in how businesses and people you would like to do business with perceive you, potentially opening doors you never would have thought possible. Beyond that, business meetings over coffee or tea are just more fun. It helps take some of the pressure off, and can help calm the nerves of the more anxious parties.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is kicking off their 2025 Coffee and Tea Conversations with Industry. Their virtual informational webinar sessions are tailored for small businesses, presenting an incredible opportunity to learn about doing businesses with the Treasury and their Bureaus in a more relaxed setting. There are a lot of small businesses, and the number of competition can make people nervous, but these webinars are designed to ensure small businesses are aptly prepared and does so in a fun and calm environment. If interested in this opportunity, click on the link to learn more. The link also contains registration information. The event is on May 21, 2025 from 10:00-11:00 EST.
