Business dinners help you build better relationships with clients and colleagues. Being a good host is key to making a dinner a success.
“When you’re the host you’re in control, so you need to show the extent of your hospitality,” says Diane Craig, president of Corporate Class Inc. in Toronto. Demonstrate you’re hosting abilities by making guests feel comfortable with the flow of the meal and conversation.
Here’s some expert advice to make you next business dinner a success:
> Greet your guests
Make sure your guests feel welcome when they arrive. If there are several people at the dinner, introduce everyone.
“You have to make sure each guest is greeted personally and by name and made to feel very welcome and comfortable,” says Linda Allan, a Toronto-based certified management consultant specializing in behaviours in business. Tell guests what they can expect for the evening, such as if you’re starting at the bar and moving to the dining room later.
> You get the “bad” seat
Let your guests lead into the restaurant and in taking a seat at the table.
“You want to make sure they get the best seat,” Craig says. “You’re facing the kitchen and they’re facing the park.”
> Give suggestions
Make your guest comfortable with recommendations for their meal.
Suggesting items on the menu will provide a subtle hint as to whether price is an issue, Craig says.
> Prepare a menu
The size of the group you invite will determine whether the menu is set or is a la carte.
For groups of eight or fewer, guests can choose their own dishes, says Allan. If there is more than eight, it’s best to have a set menu arranged beforehand with the restaurant. Otherwise, there me be confusion and waiting if only some people order an appetizer.
Says Allan: “If you want this to flow and look very dignified and add a certain level of decorum to it, the host should choose the meal.”
> Set the conversational tone
A dinner is a more formal, social affair than a business lunch. If you must discuss business, Allan says, do so over cocktails, not during the meal.
“Dinner is not a time to sell, to talk business or to push things at people,” Allan says. “It’s a time to enjoy a meal.”
Limit conversation to “small talk” — topics like entertainment, sports, food and travel. These subjects will help create a more comfortable tone and help to build a rapport with your guests.
“When you build rapport, people start to know you and like you and are more apt to do business with you,” says Allan.
Never discuss religion or politics.
> Pay the bill — secretly
Make arrangements to pay the bill away from the table.
After the meal order is taken excuse yourself to explain to the wait staff that you don’t want the bill at the table, Craig says. As the meal winds down, excuse yourself once more to pay the bill.
IE