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A working lunch meeting is a meeting that takes place during the lunch hour, typically between a business owner or employee and a potential client or customer. It’s a way to get to know one another better, discuss possible collaborations, and lay the groundwork for future dealings.
How do you set up a Successful Lunch Meeting? Here are our suggestions:
1 Prepare your agenda in advance
Be sure to prepare your agenda in advance so you can identify the purpose of each item to be discussed. When it is time to decide on an appropriate place for your meeting, choose a location that is conducive to getting down to business quickly and effectively.
The best choices are usually more formal settings such as restaurants and hotels with private rooms, conference centers, and other locations that provide a neutral, such as a conference table, rather than casual spots where it can be difficult to have an in-depth discussion.
2 Send Online Invitations in Advance
Your invitation should include all the important details your guest needs to know, such as the purpose of the meeting, location, and start time. Your email will be sent to their inbox as a reminder once they’ve accepted it. Recipients may delete the message without reading it—so make sure it’s relevant and engaging!
3 Decide on the Ideal location
Try to choose a location that’s convenient for both of you. If one person is coming from out of town, for example, it might make more sense to meet at their hotel rather than trying to schedule something downtown.
Picking the perfect location ahead of time is important, especially if you’re going to be discussing a serious topic. If you’re meeting a client at a restaurant for a working lunch, pick a quiet spot that will discourage the waiter from interrupting every minute, and pick one with complimentary Wi-Fi.
4 Select your food options carefully
There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a meal for a lunch meeting. Ideally, you will want something light that won’t make you sluggish or tired. You also want to avoid anything that’s messy or difficult to eat.
Some good options include soup, salad, or a sandwich on whole-grain bread. If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, try grilled chicken or fish with vegetables. And be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Also, You want to make sure that you are not eating something that you don’t like or can’t eat.
- Look at the menu before making your selection
- If you have any allergies, make sure to mention them
- If you are on a diet, ask for a salad or soup
- If you are in a rush, order quickly and eat quickly.
5 Book your meeting slot early enough
To make sure your lunch meeting goes as smoothly as possible, be sure to book the meeting slot in advance. That will ensure that both you and your colleague have time blocked off on your calendar specifically for the meeting, and it will also minimize the chances of conflicting schedules.
6 Prepare your discussion points
When you come prepared with your discussion points on a specific agenda, it will be easier to stay on track and make the most of your time. Also, be respectful of the other party’s time and make sure to end the meeting on time.
Announce the menu earlier
Announcing the menu choices before lunch gives everyone a chance to make decisions about what they would like to eat and avoid any awkward moments later on. It’s also generally polite to order something light if you know you will be eating a large dinner later on.
8 keep in mind your dining etiquette
When meeting for lunch, it is important to keep in mind your dining etiquette. Here are a few tips to help make your lunch meeting a success:
1. Arrive on time– being punctual shows that you respect your colleagues and their time
2. Be mindful of what you order– avoid anything that may be messy or difficult to eat; opt for something simple that can be enjoyed with minimal mess
3. Be polite and courteous to those around you– remember, you are representing your company and should act accordingly
4. It’s also generally polite to order something light if you know you’ll be eating a large dinner later on. That way, you won’t take up space at the table and deprive others of enjoying their meal.
5. Finally, always remember to chew with your mouth closed! It’s considered rude to chat with your mouth full of food and it makes for an unpleasant dining experience for everyone around you.
9 The Host pays the Bill
Whoever invited the other attendees to the meeting should be responsible for covering the cost of the meeting. If someone else organized and hosted the meeting, that person should be responsible for reimbursing the host for any expenses.
10 Take notes
Taking notes at a lunch meeting is an important skill that every professional should have. It helps with remembering the details of the meeting and ensures that nothing is missed.
Taking good notes is not easy, especially when you are trying to keep up with a conversation while also taking down all the information.
To make it easier for people, there are many note-taking apps available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The most popular ones include Evernote, Google Keep, OneNote, and Notability, to mention but a few.
11 Make it interactive enough
A good meeting is interactive. It’s not just about the presenter. A good meeting is about participation and discussion.
It is important to make meetings interactive enough so that they are not just one-way conversations. This can be done by setting up a time for people to talk or getting feedback on ideas from the attendees.
The best way to get an idea of what works for your team members is to ask them what they want out of their meetings.
12 Make sure there is time for questions
The meeting should not be too long and it should not be too short. If the meeting is too short, then it’s hard for everyone to get what they want out of the meeting. If the meeting is too long, then people will feel like they are being forced to listen and won’t be able to ask questions that are on their minds.
13 Stay Focused and Discuss Intended Topics
In order to have a successful working lunch, it is important to stay focused and discuss the intended topics for the working lunch meetings.
You can keep your phone away from your table. Staying focused is to have a clear space that does not include any distractions. One of the most common distractions is our phones.
14 Avoid drinking
The best way to avoid drinking too much at a business lunch meeting is by not accepting drinks from your client. If they offer you alcohol, decline and then focus on maintaining professionalism throughout the rest of the conversation since everyone else may need to return to work afterward as well!
