- When you are entertaining one client, sit next to each other at a right angle rather than across the table.
- When you entertain two clients put one across from you and the other to your side. You don’t want to look like a ping pong ball.
- At a breakfast meeting time is short so get down to business quickly. At lunch, wait until you have ordered so you won’t be interrupted.
- Dinner, even for a business meal is the more social occasion, is a time for rapport building.
- If the food or service is poorly executed at a business meal excuse yourself to discuss any problems with the staff in private.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink at the business meal. The three Martini lunch is mostly a thing of the past.
- If you are the host at a business meal know your duties. It is up to you to see that things go well and that your guests are comfortable.
- Plan ahead when you issue the invitation for a business meal. Allow a week for a business dinner and three days for lunch.
- Select a restaurant that you know or one where you are known for business meals. This is no time to try out the latest hot spot.
- When you make reservation for a business meal let the staff know that you will be dining with clients and you will pick up the check.
- Confirm a business meal appointments the day before if you are meeting for breakfast or that day if you are having lunch or dinner.
- Arrive early for a business meal so you can attend to last minute details like giving your credit card to the maitre’d to use for the bill.