Harness the power of the business lunch

The business lunch can be tricky and learning to navigate it can mean the difference between success and failure. Don’t be fooled into thinking the business lunch is a casual, carefree meeting environment because it absolutely isn’t. If closing the deal means scaling the castle walls and rescuing the fair maiden, consider the lunch the minefield you have to cross to get there.

Meetings happen day and night, 24/7/365, so what makes the lunch meeting different? In many ways it isn’t different, but a lunch can go from business to just lunch in the blink of an eye. It’s easy for the focus to go from the deal to general schmoozing.

Finding the right place to meet is essential. You want something that is close to their office. You want it to be convenient for them so they feel like they are being catered to. You need something from them, so make sure they feel like they have the upper hand.

Never try a brand new place for a business lunch. You need to go somewhere you know the food is good and the service is outstanding. A bad restaurant experience can affect your deal, even if it’s not your fault. Know what to expect before you go.

This last part may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important enough to mention. Always arrive before your contact. You’re trying to convince this person to do a deal with you so you need to appear cool, calm and collected. If you arrive 10 minutes late, looking frazzled, that will reflect badly on you and might make your contact feel less confident about the deal. Arrive early and make sure you arrive first.

Historically, the business lunch has been more about lunch than business, but don’t discount its effectiveness. With a little planning, you can seal the deal and enjoy a tasty meal at the same time.