by
Catherine Franz
More Details at: http://www.abundancecenter.com
Knowing what
to do when meeting a prospective client for lunch,
or going to lunch with the boss or colleague can be
confusing at times. Here is a quick list of items to
remember:
1. Be in the
present moment with whoever you are with. Limit
glancing around the room. It’s a sign that you are
looking for something better. There is nothing worse
than having a conversation with someone who is half
there.
2. Being on
time. This sounds so commonsensical. The percentage
of people being late is over 65 percent. Don't push
your time to the last minute before leaving the
office so you will be late. Take some reading or
work with you, arrive early, sit in the lobby, and
work. Or give yourself some space to think over how
you want to approach the time together. You
introduction, tone, style, or even plan a quick get
away if the union isn't working. The memory implant
of your lateness will always override any request
for forgiveness.
3. Turn off
your cell phone before entering the restaurant. No
one around you wants to hear your conversation. Even
if you let it ring, pick it up and then take it
outside. Did you leave your lunch companion alone?
This is just plain rude. If you have an "I
don't care attitude" about this, I'll tell you
a story about a lunch guest of mine who did this and
the three prospects she was meeting didn't even sit
down. They saw her talk, she waved a 1-minute finger
single to them, and they turned around and walked
out. They wouldn't even answer her phone calls or
emails afterwards.
4. If you are
woman and this is business, it’s appropriate now
to stand up and shake the hand of a male. This
overrides the old rule of staying seated. If the
meeting is for your spouse’s business and you are
coming along because other spouses are coming, then
you stay seated as your spouse stands up. This rules
applies for either gender.
5. Offer your
hand and give a firm handshake. Sometimes, people
who don't like to shake hands will not meet yours.
Don't think anything of it if they don't, this is
just their preference. And particularly don't say
something cute or funny.
6. Think of an
opening statement to make as you are shaking hands.
This is part of your first impression, so make it
good. Always use the guest’s first name either at
the beginning or at the end of the statement. For
example, "Thank you for taking the time to get
together today, Catherine." When needing to
complete a group of introductions, highest rank
rules over gender.
7. Small talk
is important--don't leave it out. The length of time
for small talk depends on many factors. If you are
in the presence of famous or very rich people and
not in a social setting, then the small talk, if
any, is going to be quick and short. It could be as
short as one or two sentences. People who know how
much their time is worth, or who are doing you a
favor by being there, also fall into this category.
8. Aha, who
picks up the tab? If you did the inviting, you are
responsible for the check. No matter how more
well-off they are. If a joint meeting, ask at the
beginning or when scheduling the lunch on check
splitting. Waiting until the check arrives to state
the check splitting is a sign of professional
weakness. If you are meeting with someone who is
giving you valuable advice, you must pick up the
tab. A personal handwritten follow-up note is also
appropriate. If they have saved or helped you make
more money, send them a gift or gift certificate. If
you don't you will never get any more of their time
again. This has occurred to me, and the person never
gets any time again.
9. Where does
the napkin go? Immediately after sitting, place the
napkin in your lap. If you notice the napkin is in
the goblet, this is usually a signal from the
restaurant that the server will place the napkin
into your lap. If you excuse yourself during the
meal, place the napkin on the left hand side of your
plate or on the chair. This signals the server that
you aren't done. When done, place napkin on the
right of the plate and your fork and knife
horizontally across the plate to signal the server.
10. What to
eat and use first? Which glass or which fork can be
confusing. Bread and salad plates always to the
left, drinking glasses to the right. Utensils start
from the outside in and the dessert fork is by the
dessert plate. Lay your fork and knife across your
plate to signal the server you're finished.
Catherine
Franz is a business coach and prolific writer. To
read additional articles or find out more about any
of her monthly eNewsletters, visit the Abundance
Center at: http://www.abundancecenter.com. Or
Catherine's blog: http://abundance.blog
About
the Author
Catherine Franz, Arlington, VA USA
catherine@abundancecenter.com
http://www.abundancecenter.com
Catherine Franz is a 30-year veteran in the
marketing industry and is a Certified Business
Coach, Certified Teleclass Leader and Trainer, and
Master Attraction Practitioner. Her client’s
include accounting firms, restaurants, retail
stores, coaches, employees wanting to find better
jobs, and independent professionals from hundreds of
service businesses. For daily marketing tips and
newsletters on “Tennis Shoe Marketing,” “Law
of Attraction,” and “Marketing Writing,”
visit: http://www.AbundanceCenter.com or contact her
directly at 703-671-5677.
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