The Business of Meeting and Socializing Over Meals
A good product and average service are not always enough to guarantee a sale. There may be plenty of competitors offering similar products so what can you do to make your client choose your company? Going above and beyond the expected standard and offering exceptional service often encourage clients to return for further discussions.
Lunch is an opportunity to build business-client relationships, discuss future business or negotiate deals, so always be specific
in communicating the purpose of the meeting. Being in a more social setting often helps stimulate new ideas, so organizing a business meal deserves as much attention to detail as a board meeting. In order to satisfy corporate expense reporting, your company will need to know that the lunch will benefit them in terms of goodwill, new ventures, or client loyalty. Planning for a successful meal depends not only on your business presentation
but also on the restaurant you chose, your knowledge of
the menu, and your recommendations. Satisfied that everything is covered? Then it's time to impress your client with your dining expertise and table manners.
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TOPICS COVERED
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Hosting a Business Meal
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Extending & Responding to Invitations
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Discussing Business Productively
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Concluding the Meeting with Meaningful Follow-Ups
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Building Restaurant Connections
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The US and European Dining Styles
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Understanding Your Place Setting
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Using your Flatware Correctly
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Making Wise Choices & Helpful Recommendations
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Table Etiquette, Seating Protocols & Place Cards
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Wines and Toasting Protocols
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Dining Locally, Eating Globally
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Tips for Attending or Hosting a Buffet Event
A more relaxed dress code and working in a multi-tasking environment can often lead to meeting clients for a casual lunch but you will build stronger relationships and impress your clients by "entertaining" them to lunch. Good table manners and dining etiquette show a level of education, and renewed knowledge of "how to be formal" is a useful skill for both business and social events as there are dining protocols to follow and faux pas to be avoided! Being at ease with your place setting, flatware and table etiquette means you can concentrate on the business at hand. Emphasis will be on US and European dining styles but we offer a working knowledge of all five main dining styles so you can be at ease dining with international clients here and abroad .
"If you want to get a point across, entertain." George Bernard Shaw 1856 - 1950
