A series of recent meetings without focus (foci?) has reminded me of one of the pithiest maxims every penned, by turn-of-the-century theater impresario David Belasco:

"If you can't write your idea on the back of my calling card, you don't have a clear idea."

Which leads directly to Brandt's Corollary: "You can't help somebody who doesn't know — or can't tell you — what he or she wants."