Five Rules You Should Know Before Taking a Client to Lunch

5As nice as it is to take a potential client to a fine-dining restaurant, where you take them for food will generally matter little in whether you seal that business deal or not. Instead, you should be thinking more about how you present yourself during the meal. Etiquette plays a vital role and getting it wrong could be the factor that loses you business.

The Huffington Post suggested five dining skills you can't afford to skip:

1. Restaurant selection

A restaurant doesn't have to be expensive, but it does need to be clean, serve delicious food and offer great service. Make sure you have visited the restaurant before you take an important client for lunch. You should also familiarise yourself with the menu so you can make suggestions.

2. Location, location, location

Butter up the maitre de and score yourself a great table by the window. The last thing you want is to hear plates clattering in the kitchen as you discuss business.

3. Understand table etiquette

Know where your glass should lie and which cutlery you should use for which dish.

4. Put away the mobile

Glancing at your mobile repeatedly will turn off your client. Pop it away so you have no distractions.

5. Don't take a doggie bag

You may have half a meal left over and hate seeing it go to waste, but now is not the time to get it wrapped-to-go.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.