From http://www.mannersforbusiness.com/diningetiquette.php
If you take a client out to dinner, it is pretty simple: be polite. Before you act, speak, or eat, ask yourself if this is classified as polite and non-controversial. However, if you have questions on what is proper etiquette, please read on to learn the basics.
Let’s start with what to do at different points during the dinner, and then we will move on to what to avoid.
- Before: Do your research on the culture of your clients. Find out if they do not eat certain foods (vegetarian?), practice special customs before or after the meal (pray?), or have different interpretations of gestures (what does slurping your soup signify?).
- During the Meal:
- Turn off your cell phone
- Know the arrangement of the place setting (see diagram below)
- Wait until everyone has received their food before you start
- Eat slowly and take small bites
- Use your napkin frequently
Here are a few egregious errors to avoid:
- Do not arrive late
- Do not place anything (bags, wallets, phones, sunglasses) on the table
- Do not rearrange the utensils or place setting
- Do not order alcohol
- Do not talk with food in your mouth
Always remember that you are at this meeting FOR BUSINESS. It is not about the food: you will either be entertaining your client and trying to gain their trust, or trying to close a business deal. Be conscientious of your manners and appearance while eating, but remember the purpose or goal of this dinner.
From: http://ownthedollar.com/2009/05/top-ten-etiquette-tips-business-dinner-interview/
References:
http://www.etiquetteoutreach.com/business-dining-etiquette-tips-/
One of America’s biggest fears is public speaking. Honestly, it is one of mine as well. However, if I have a plan in mind, then I am less fearful. When conducting a business meeting, do not let the fear of running or speaking at the meeting lead to an ineffective and unorganized meeting. The tips below are strategies that can lead to a successful business meeting.
- Give 48 hours notice of a meeting to be scheduled (either by email or memorandum). See examples of meeting announcements below.
- Include an agenda with the initial notice of the meeting. See example of agenda below.
- Pass out a hard copy of the agenda at the meeting.
- Begin and end on time.
- Conduct the meeting with positive authority. Be direct with your language and ideas.
- Encourage active participation.
- Prohibit side chatter and insulting comments from the meeting participants.
- Leave time at the end for a quick question and answer session.
- Immediately after the meeting has ended, summarize the meeting and actions agreed upon in an email.
By following these simple yet effective steps, your meeting will run smoothly. The key is to keep the focus in the room on the task at hand. A concise meeting and agenda is the most effective. It prevents distractions, and it avoids confusion due to a lengthy and drawn-out topic of discussion.
References:
http://www.leadersinstitute.com/articles/developing_efficient_meetings.html
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/rules-conduct-business-meeting-1395.html
Meeting Notice Picture: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/35596353/SAMPLE-EMAIL-NOTIFICATION-MEETING-CONFIRMATION-NOTICE
Meeting Agenda Picture: http://www.vertex42.com/WordTemplates/meeting-agenda.html
Successful Meeting Picture: http://www.constellationrg.com/blog/2011/08/why-business-leaders-should-conduct-talent-reviews
Welcome to the blog where you will learn how to stay professional in the business world. First, you will master the steps to conduct a formal meeting; then, you will learn how to impress clients at a business dinner. I always welcome comments, questions, and suggestions for future posts.
Enjoy,
Nikki Ellis
Business How-To's 