Choosing the perfect setting for a business lunch
If you’re doing business in Mayfair, the chances are that you have – at one time or another – met a business contact over lunch.
Given that the etiquette of business lunches is a bit of a minefield you might have wondered why you went to the trouble. There are a lot of questions you may not know the answer to: is your client teetotal? If not, who orders the wine and at what price? How many courses do you order – one, two, three? Who picks up the bill, and when?
What’s the point of a business lunch?
Psychologists, on the other hand, say there are some clear benefits of meeting potential customers or partners over lunch.
Sharing a meal helps build rapport and trust and encourages open dialogue and a personal connection. It can level the playing field – making hierarchical differences less pronounced, leading to more honest and open discussions. Observing social norms and etiquette demonstrates respect and awareness, and the more relaxed environment can help reduce tensions and smooth negotiations and decision making.
The right choice of venue offers the chance to make a positive impression and leave a lasting memory. People often remember experiences associated with food more vividly.
You have to be careful though. That two-Michelin starred restaurant may be a little ‘stiff’, you may be better off with something a little more buzzy, more informal – like El Pirata in Mayfair’s Down Street. There’s just enough ambient noise to be able to have a private conversation, and because it has an extensive tapas menu, there’s something to suit every taste – and every appetite. Most of all, though, it’s fun … and that’s a good place to start any new relationship.
