Blog

4 Elements to a Successful Business Dinner

 

Taking your business associates out to dinner is one simple way to bond and form long lasting relationships, the kind that every business needs to be able to stay competitive. But in order to achieve this result, our limo service in Hudson finds that it is extremely important to plan carefully. There are certain rules you must abide by to create a long-lasting impression that will make your associates want to keep dealing with you and your organization. We have therefore compiled a list of essential elements that will make your business dinners a success this year.

First, consider contracting a concierge car service such as our Westchester airport car service for your associate. Have them picked up by a professional chauffeur from their residence and transferred to the venue as they simply sit back and enjoy the luxury amenities of a luxury vehicle. This is sure to set the pace for your meeting and, even before you have begun discussing business, you have already made a positive impression. Here are a few more tips on how to host a successful business dinner.

1. Be Punctual

Don’t just be punctual, ensure that you are at the venue before your guest. This not only sends a message that you are a serious individual, but it also makes the guest feel that they are a priority. Further, it gives you the opportunity to choose a spot that you feel would be most comfortable and appropriate for the kind of discussions you are about to have.

2. Remember your Agenda

As soon as people meet in an informal setting, it is not unlikely that they will forget the true purpose of their date in the first place. You must remember that the meeting you are about to have is no different from any other meeting. Always pull the conversation back to the agenda whenever you feel that you are deviating, lest you end up with a fruitless meeting that did not meet any of the expected goals.

3. No Alcohol

Nothing will kill your associate’s confidence in you than having a drink while discussing business. Perhaps this was quite ordinary in the 80s but long gone are the days when a martini during lunch was seen as a normal activity. Serious business associates expect the people they partner with to be serious as well. Besides this, alcohol may temporarily boost your confidence but it impairs your judgement and may inhibit you from fully accomplishing the intended goals of the meeting, making it counterproductive.

4. Be Engaging

Being engaging does not mean that you should constantly be speaking; nobody appreciates a person who likes to be the only one in the room talking. Being engaging means encouraging dialogue by asking questions and making your associate feel that you are actually interested in what they have to say. We would even go as far as suggesting that you do a lot more listening than speaking in order to make the other person feel valued and important.

Posted on Jan 15 2019

Share on Social Media