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The Art of the Business Lunch

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The Art of the Business Lunch

Building Relationships Between 12 and 2

Career Press,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Learn how to use the business lunch to break bread, build relationships, make sales and connect with your clients.

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Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Author and former radio account executive Robin Jay built a reputation in Las Vegas as the "Queen of the Business Lunch." Now she shares her insights and expertise on converting lunchtime into the most productive part of your business day. Contemporary sales philosophy emphasizes building relationships with clients rather than concentrating on deal making. The best way to build a closer connection is to get out of the office and share a meal. Jay walks you through the process, from how to choose a restaurant, who should drive, what to order (avoid red sauce), how to handle the touchy subject of alcohol and which fork to use. After reading this simple, applicable and easy-to-use guide, you'll never eat another meal at your desk. Read this during your next lunch hour; getAbstract thinks it might be the last time you eat alone.

Summary

Why Do Lunch?

In sales, building a relationship has become much more important than closing a single deal. Breaking bread together is a splendid way to get to know one another and develop mutual regard. After all, "people prefer to do business with people they like." The business lunch presents a great opportunity to forge lasting relationships with your clients, ultimately resulting in an increase in sales. For many people, the idea of a business lunch, especially with someone they don't know, is as intimidating as a first date. But you can employ many strategies to remove the awkwardness and make lunch the most productive part of your day.

Listen Up

Your goal is to learn about your clients. You must understand their needs, both professionally and personally. Learn by listening. Don't monopolize the lunch conversation with talk about your company or product. Instead, ask questions and pay careful attention to the answers. You will be able to serve your clients better when you fully comprehend their needs.

A Professional Look

For a sales professional, there is no such thing as "casual Friday." How you present yourself is very important. Classic...

About the Author

Robin Jay worked in radio advertising sales for more than 18 years. She was president of the Las Vegas chapter of Women in Communications and has written articles for What's On, America West Magazine and The Las Vegas Review Journal. Jay is a consultant, public speaker and corporate trainer.

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