The next time you take a client to lunch, project a professional image by demonstrating your impeccable manners.
“People look at us and make determinations on our character and our capabilities based on our manners,” says Linda Allan, Toronto-based certified management consultant specializing in behaviours in business.
As the host, you will have many responsibilities, from making the arrangements to setting the flow of conversation, says Allan. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your business lunch is an enjoyable occasion for your client and you:
> Choose the right restaurant
As the host, you should choose the restaurant. Be sure to ask your guest in advance about favourite foods or dietary concerns, Allan says.
Of course, you’ll have to consider more than the food.
“Don’t choose a part of the city where your guest is going to have difficulty finding parking or access by public transit,” says Toronto-based Sandra Bekhor, president of Bekhor Management. Also, when choosing the restaurant, think about whether you’ll need a quiet space or a large table to work on, she adds.
Once you’ve decided upon the restaurant, be clear about where to meet, Allan says, whether it’s outside of the restaurant, in the restaurant lobby, in the bar or at the table.
> Consider time constraints
Ask how long your guest has for lunch; most business people will have only an hour, Allan says. Make sure the restaurant staff understands your time restriction so you can ensure you’re settled and that the meal is ordered and completed within the set time, Allan says.
> Keep it businesslike
Remember that a lunch meeting is still a meeting. While the location may be slightly informal, act as though you were in a boardroom, says Bekhor.
“You still wear the suit you wear to the office,” she says. “And you still talk about things that are appropriate to talk about in the office.”
> Set the conversational tone
You are responsible for the conversational tone during the lunch. First, explain why you want to have a lunch meeting, Allan says. Is it to talk about a new investment or a social call?
“There’s nothing worse than being invited to lunch thinking it’s a ‘catch up’ lunch,” Allan says, “and then the person starts to sell to you.”
Professional conversation doesn’t have to be all business. Start the meeting with about 10 to 15 minutes of small talk. Then, discuss business as you wait for the orders and during the first half of the meal, says Allan. Return to lighter topics toward the end of the meal.
“Small talk isn’t trivial,” Allan says. “You’re moving to a more personal type of conversation — as opposed to a business-driven conversation — so the meal closes on a very uplifting tone.”
> Food and Drink
Be conscious of what you order and how it may look both during and after the meal. “Don’t order something that will make you self-conscious,” says Bekhor. Avoid foods like corn-on-the-cob, chicken drumsticks or pizza — anything that may be difficult to eat or leave you with food in your teeth or bad breath afterwards, she adds.
When it comes to alcohol for a lunch meeting it’s best to pass. “In Canada now there usually are no alcoholic beverages at lunch,” Allan says. “Clients are very busy and they usually decline.”
IE