People often say that they are reluctant to follow up someone of the opposite gender, after meeting them at a lunch/cocktail function/meeting, for the fear that it will be misinterpreted as a ‘non-business’ approach. Here are 4 suggestions to make it feel more comfortable:

1. Start by sending them an article or piece of thought leadership
2. Send them an email, before calling to arrange the meeting, stating the topics you would like to discuss
3. Take along a colleague to be part of the first discussion
4. Make the first meeting a meeting, rather than a coffee catch up or lunch