The perfect environment for selling your ideas is one that relaxes and calms the recipients of your pitch; and that encourages feelings of openness, exploration, creativity and generosity.

You yourself must look and feel confident.

A huge online survey conducted in 2010 revealed we find other people more confident, competent and more attractive when they wear black.

Get the colour green in wherever you can. It’s a positive colour that’s fresh and lively yet also calming.

Your notepad for a pitch meeting should be green.

Whatever you hand to your prospective client should be robust and weighty, not cheap and flimsy.

Holding something solid in their hands, they will transfer those feeling on to you – that you are competent, serious and good at your job.

Make sure it has a nice soft texture, doesn’t feel synthetic, and is green too.

People have less will power and are more likely to agree to a statement if they’re sitting down and comfortable than when standing up.

Clean citrus scents have been shown in research to encourage more charitable, generous behaviour in individuals.

To get it into the room, either clean the table first with a citrus cleaning product; or simply serve your guests lime infused water.

Spritz the room with an aroma that’s evocative of the idea you’re selling.

If it’s about the outdoors, have the smell of cut grass. Pitching a restaurant concept to investors – have the scent of baked bread. This may be difficult if your idea is a new investment plan for your clients. But then think laterally – what’s the emotion you’re trying to convey – if it’s security, safety, then maybe something warm like cedar wood, or calming like tea.