The common denominator of conducting business over a meal is not about eating, it is about doing business!

The key is it to learn how to do both simultaneously with ease, to ensure you meet your business meeting goals!

More business deals are closed over a meal or entertainment venue than in the boardroom. This common business practice allows your employees to build relationships and network with others in a more relaxed, social setting. This program features a comprehensive overview of how to simultaneously conduct business while dining with professionalism and finesse.

By understanding the importance of having a purpose and a well-planned strategy and being proficient in essential business and dining etiquette, your employees can then make decisions that lead to a successful business outcome. Not doing so will only cost the organization a significant amount of money and time.

PreWork™

PreWork™ is key in getting attendees engaged, peak their interest, and help gauge their knowledge on the topics being presented.

The PreWork™ is conducted online. Since each program is custom-tailored, the PreWork™ is as well.

3 Stage Process

PreWork™ is key in getting attendees engaged, peak their interest, and help gauge their knowledge on the topics being presented.

The PreWork™ is conducted online. Since each program is custom-tailored, the PreWork™ is as well.

ONE

Opportunities

There are many reasons why an employee might do business over a meal. it is important to first understand which business opportunity is the best to meet the desired outcome of the meeting.

1. Create new business relationships.
2. Maintain current business relationships.
3. Damage control.
4. Reinforce and finalize deals.
5. Create new business with current relationships.
6. To discuss a project or proposal.

TWO

Strategic Alignment

It is all about strategy. Without a strategy then it is difficult to meet the purpose of the meeting. Many elements constitute your employee becoming more strategically aligned with the business objectives.

1. preparation is key:  purpose, briefing, and debriefing
2. identify goals and objectives
3. know the culture of organizations
4. be aware of business etiquette & protocol skills
5. be sensitive to others in comments
6. controlling a meal without being aggressive.
7. understand the etiquette and protocols of dining.
8. maximize your communication skills…body, tone, words
9. time management skills.
10. apply effective presentation skills:  opening and closing
11. be aware of all responsibilities as a host and a guest
12. the effectiveness of correspondence management
13. develop and maintain organizational skills

THREE

Components

Once the business opportunity has been defined, then our team will teach your employees how to address the dining/entertainment disciplines when it comes to conducing a successful business meeting.

1. identify host/guest responsibilities
2. define dress code/wardrobe
3. determine location/atmosphere
4. confirm parking/transportation
5. know food/cuisine desire and needs
6. reservation procedures
7. master conversation management
8. arrival and waiting 
9. how, when, and who orders
10. seating arrangement strategies
11. body language management
12. modified presentation strategies
13. how to handle unexpected situations
14. follow up strategies

FOUR

Dining Opportunities

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Depending upon the business circumstances, will determine which dining opportunity is best to use for your employee to conduct business over a meal. Nothing is written in stone, not in today’s business environments; however, there are some staple qualifications to know before making a decision! 

Rules Of Engagement

When conducting business over a meal, there are “Rules of Engagement” that are critical to the success of the meeting. These rules consist of business etiquette & protocol, dining etiquette & protocol, conversation management skills. Each of these is defined by circumstances, conditions, degree and manner in which the rules may be applied.

Business & Dining Etiquette & Protocol™

Understanding the nuances of business & dining etiquette & protocol skills that go into a business meal are critical to its outcome. This encompasses verbal communication, nonverbal communication, dining procedures, and dining settings.

PROTOCOL

The "code" of behavior regarding your employee's professional practices  when having interaction with others while conducting business over a meal.

• Rules
• Procedures Set In Stone
• Should Not Modify

ETIQUETTE

The "how" your employees do things regarding their professional  actions when dealing with others while conducting business over a meal.

• How you put protocol into effect.
• What is politically correct.
• Code of behavior.
• Can differ from culture and restaurant.
• Depends on the situation.
• Depends on the players.

Conversation Management

The conversation is what drives a business meeting and must be strategic. Depending upon the “Dining Opportunity” will depend on the timing, the content, and the flow. The attendees will learn that their nonverbal cues are just as important as the words they speak when communicating.

Unexpected Situations

There is more to just business dining & etiquette protocol considerations when it comes to conducting business over a business meal. How your employees handle unexpected situations is critical to the success of the outcome of the meeting.

Spilled drinks, dropped utensils, and late arrivals, along with other countless mishaps, can hinder business. We will teach your employees how to manage such issues so that they can be resolved quickly and everyone can get back to the business at hand.