ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > August > 19
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Business lunches can make or break career
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A recent ajcjobs cover story talked about the strategic importance and best use of the business lunch (or breakfast or other meal). Experts said that, even with tighter budgets, companies shouldn’t be too hasty to ban the business meal, which can be a great way to build relationships with clients and improve trust and loyalty.
Of course, food-and-beverage situations always can lead to mishaps. What if you invite the client to lunch and then spill red wine on his or her tan suit? What if you get spinach stuck in your teeth, and you don’t discover that until long after the lunch is over?
There also could be etiquette issues. One person interviewed for the article described a business lunch to which she was invited. Someone working at the company where she used to work invited her to lunch so that he or she could “pick her brain”. After two hours of picking her brain, this person said “thanks for lunch” and took off, leaving the invited guest to foot the bill!
Have you ever been a part of a business meal that had unexpected results? Tell us what happened and if you ended up landing the client or the job.
