Business dining dos/don'ts
Dec 8, 2007 | 3:12 am
#47
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Dec 8, 2007 | 8:38 am
#49
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Turn your cell phone OFF. In the US, a dealbuster for us is clients answering their cellphone and yapping away during dinner. Even putting the phone on vibrate is annoying because s/he is always looking down at who is calling. If it's a family situation, no problem.
I can't tell you how many people we've decided not to do business with, and I suspect a few are on this board, based on some of the responses in the "Woman on the cell phone" thread in "Dining".
I can't tell you how many people we've decided not to do business with, and I suspect a few are on this board, based on some of the responses in the "Woman on the cell phone" thread in "Dining".
Dec 8, 2007 | 8:43 am
#50
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Turn your cell phone OFF. In the US, a dealbuster for us is clients answering their cellphone and yapping away during dinner. Even putting the phone on vibrate is annoying because s/he is always looking down at who is calling. If it's a family situation, no problem.
I can't tell you how many people we've decided not to do business with, and I suspect a few are on this board, based on some of the responses in the "Woman on the cell phone" thread in "Dining".
I can't tell you how many people we've decided not to do business with, and I suspect a few are on this board, based on some of the responses in the "Woman on the cell phone" thread in "Dining".
Dec 25, 2007 | 12:39 pm
#51
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Often I'll ask people if they're planning on ordering a starter before the wait staff start taking orders - especially if it is only a lunch - it seems to clear any confusion as sometimes people aren't sure who is going to order a starter or not.
Dec 28, 2007 | 7:32 pm
#52
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Dec 30, 2007 | 6:57 pm
#53
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But to me, in most instances that I could visualize, this probably would not be a dealbreaker in and of itself. I'd want to be more focused on the "big picture" whole of what the other party brings to the table...Especially if "Bio Betty" was just one member of a mutli-person team.
Dec 30, 2007 | 7:29 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 361
Memories of Great Times & Food, over High-Powered Dinner Meetings
With clients/prospects
Drinking- Do NOT get drunk.
Food- Do not order the most expensive item on the menu and in the converse, do not order the cheapest item on the menu.
As I am typically dining with prospects/clients, I pick up the tab. The client value would determine the cost of the restaurant. (i.e. clients or prospects with a potential value of a few hundred thousand in profit or more would end up in a high end restaurant. Conversely, a client/prospect who would be valued in the sub 10k profit range would find an appropriate casual restaurant (sub 100 meal for 2-4).
With colleagues:
Drinking- Don't drink excessively.
Food- Order what you want. However, do not order the most expensive item on the menu- especially when dining with the boss. However, this rule goes out the window when dining at a cheap joint (i.e. fast food)
Typically the most senior person picks up the tab.
Please keep in mind the occasion and reasoning for the meeting. That would ultimately provide the largest guideline on how much to spend. I've had a single dinner meeting expensed with a client (2 persons), my CEO, COO, and myself that cost just under $7,000 (meal, wine, and gratuity included). However, this client was responsible for almost 30% of the company profits (close to 2MM). The CFO didn't even bat an eye at my expense sheet.
Drinking- Do NOT get drunk.
Food- Do not order the most expensive item on the menu and in the converse, do not order the cheapest item on the menu.
As I am typically dining with prospects/clients, I pick up the tab. The client value would determine the cost of the restaurant. (i.e. clients or prospects with a potential value of a few hundred thousand in profit or more would end up in a high end restaurant. Conversely, a client/prospect who would be valued in the sub 10k profit range would find an appropriate casual restaurant (sub 100 meal for 2-4).
With colleagues:
Drinking- Don't drink excessively.
Food- Order what you want. However, do not order the most expensive item on the menu- especially when dining with the boss. However, this rule goes out the window when dining at a cheap joint (i.e. fast food)
Typically the most senior person picks up the tab.
Please keep in mind the occasion and reasoning for the meeting. That would ultimately provide the largest guideline on how much to spend. I've had a single dinner meeting expensed with a client (2 persons), my CEO, COO, and myself that cost just under $7,000 (meal, wine, and gratuity included). However, this client was responsible for almost 30% of the company profits (close to 2MM). The CFO didn't even bat an eye at my expense sheet.
Hmmm... Reminds me of a night out in the Philadelphia area
a several years ago. 6 of us had dinner at The Dillworth Towne Inn
in West Chester, and then hit a few chic clubs later on ...
bill came to a lttle under 7.5k.
Wait Staff at the Inn are Professionals (not working their way through school etc, gloved and full-tails, and mostly Europeans - best:
1 waiter per table/party guarantees their full attention to your every
whim and or need. Steaks tableside are terrific and so are some of their
vintage wines.
The tab was picked up in full by the client-civilian contractor.
I've even had 1863 Madeira but then, that's another story, time, and place.
Dec 30, 2007 | 8:53 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,939
International Business Customs
I have an older copy of "How to Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands". I wouldn't claim its perfect, but it is really good for highlighting the green-light/red-lights manners when doing business internationally. They also do a good job of covering 'social internaction' such as dining out, alcohol procedures, and common practices. It really makes a big differences with the nuances of dealing with other cultures.
I'd recommend it to anybody that does a lot of business abroad.
I'd recommend it to anybody that does a lot of business abroad.
Dec 31, 2007 | 3:00 am
#56
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Do
- Ask if anyone would prefer not to eat anything, for any reason
- Do follow the host's suit, if interacting with a different culture
- Do try to use common sense, and be a gracious host
- Do offer to accommodate on details
Don't
- Ever get drunk
- Talk too much or too little - this is a delicate art
- Make a mess while eating anything
- Talk too much business during the meal
- Ask if anyone would prefer not to eat anything, for any reason
- Do follow the host's suit, if interacting with a different culture
- Do try to use common sense, and be a gracious host
- Do offer to accommodate on details
Don't
- Ever get drunk
- Talk too much or too little - this is a delicate art
- Make a mess while eating anything
- Talk too much business during the meal
Dec 31, 2007 | 12:54 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 286
Doesn't "client" = "customer?" Your business is so good that you will turn away customers (ie people willing to pay you money for something) for answering a cell phone during dinner?
Those of us in competitive industries take a lot of guff from customers.
Those of us in competitive industries take a lot of guff from customers.
Jan 1, 2008 | 5:45 pm
#58
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exactly...what happened to the customer is always right?
Jan 1, 2008 | 8:15 pm
#59
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A few years ago, a vendor took me out for a nice dinner and he had the nerve to brag about selling items on Ebay including "a piece of toast that had been bitten by Brad Pitt." (Note to reader- he was not Brad Pitt). Our business relationship was rather short-lived after that evening.
Jan 1, 2008 | 8:37 pm
#60
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I am a not-so-young woman. Often I am with people for a meal in a business situation and I intend to pay the check. If I can I let the restaurant know ahead of time or at least make it clear to the waiter when we are seated.
More than half the time the waiter/waitress puts the check in front of the oldest man at the table and I have to grab for it.
When they return with the credit card slip for signing, they again put the folder in front of a man! My photo is on my credit card. I am obviously a woman.
Drives me crazy!
Enough on that.
I am an American but I had parents from Europe. My table manners are in that style. I was taught NOT to keep my hands in my lap during a meal as that is thought to be a sign of deceit in many places in Europe. Most interesting!
More than half the time the waiter/waitress puts the check in front of the oldest man at the table and I have to grab for it.
When they return with the credit card slip for signing, they again put the folder in front of a man! My photo is on my credit card. I am obviously a woman.
Drives me crazy!
Enough on that.
I am an American but I had parents from Europe. My table manners are in that style. I was taught NOT to keep my hands in my lap during a meal as that is thought to be a sign of deceit in many places in Europe. Most interesting!