Tips for hosting a business lunch or dinner

Below are some really great tips for hosting a well organized business lunch or dinner. These were written by Mitchel Holt of Demand Media. Click on the link below for the the full article. Marco is the perfect restaurant to host a business lunch or dinner. Our private dining room options  allow you to have complete attention and excellent food selections. For private dining room booking, contact Beth Burnsed at 478.718.3300


Tips for a Good Business Lunch

Business lunches are important for corporate networking, hammering out business details in a social setting and meeting prospective clients. These gatherings mean far more than a free lunch, and your etiquette is of utmost importance--your image, your company's name and whatever deals are on the agenda are at stake. Whether hosting or attending a business lunch, you can directly contribute to making the gathering a good one.

 

Attire

Most business lunches take place during a work day, so chances are, you're already in business attire. However, before going to the gathering, it's important to gauge how dressed up your clients will be. Your company might not be as dressy as your clients. In this case, bring a change of clothes--probably a suit--and change before lunch. If you are under-dressed, your clients will notice. The key is to not stand out in a negative way, and being under-dressed is a negative thing.
 

Ordering and Food Etiquette

Whether a five-course meal or just a normal sit-down lunch, proper food and ordering etiquette is a must at a business lunch. One of the biggest turn-offs for many is someone who is rude to the waitstaff. Treat everyone with respect and go with the flow. When deciding what to order, have two items picked out. If your client orders a salad and you planned to order a steak, downgrade your order a bit. Your meal needs to be comparable in size to the other attendees' meals. This can be disappointing at times, but always remember you're not there for the food, you're there for business. A good rule of thumb, according to the CBS website Money Watch, is to never sit down hungry. This will save you some disappointment when you can't order the steak you want. When eating, display cleanliness and proper eating etiquette. Chew with your mouth closed, use utensils, and eat slowly so you can be attentive to what people are saying. Messy eating grosses people out and, as insignificant as it is in the long run, it could instantly turn people off. Order easy-to-eat food that can be eaten with a fork. Avoid foods like buffalo wings, messy sandwiches, and finger foods.
 

Be Prepared

This is especially important if you are the host of the gathering, but everyone can perform some level of preparation before the lunch. Look at the menu before arriving at the restaurant so you don't appear indecisive while ordering. Most restaurants have menus online to help your decision. Knowing exactly what you want will keep you from holding up the whole group and help you appear professional to those around you. If you are the host of the business lunch, you are expected to facilitate business-related discussion. Know exactly what you will talk about and the order of topics. Make a list of questions for people at the table regarding relevant issues. However, do not rush right into business talk unless you notice attendees appearing impatient.
 

Stay Reserved

Maintaining your composure through several courses of food can be difficult, but it is essential to the success of the business lunch. Along with this principle comes several things to remember. Do not get drunk. Several courses can translate into several drinks, but don't let it. People's social radar often stops working when they have had too much to drink. You don't want that to happen during an important business lunch. Only volunteer information about yourself when asked, and ask other people questions. Listen more than you talk. You want the lunch to be about the client. A person who talks about himself too much comes off as tacky. If you disagree with something said, stay calm and stay cordial. Ask more questions and subtly come around to sharing your thoughts on an issue. Bounce ideas back and forth instead of arguing. Business lunches can get out of hand quickly. You are the only person you can control, so display exemplary communication with your clients.