More Business Lunch Tips

Ten Quick Etiquette Tips for Business Lunches

Knowing what to do when meeting a prospective client for lunch, or going to lunch with the boss or colleague can be confusing at times. Here is a quick list of items to remember:
By Catherine Franz
1. Be in the present moment with whoever you are with. Limit glancing around the room. It's a sign that you are looking for something better. There is nothing worse than having a conversation with someone who is half there.

2. Being on time. This sounds so commonsensical. The percentage of people being late is over 65 percent. Don't push your time to the last minute before leaving the office so you will be late. Take some reading or work with you, arrive early, sit in the lobby, and work. Or give yourself some space to think over how you want to approach the time together. You introduction, tone, style, or even plan a quick get away if the union isn't working. The memory implant of your lateness will always override any request for forgiveness.

3. Turn off your cell phone before entering the restaurant. No one around you wants to hear your conversation. Even if you let it ring, pick it up and then take it outside. Did you leave your lunch companion alone? This is just plain rude. If you have an "I don't care attitude" about this, I'll tell you a story about a lunch guest of mine who did this and the three prospects she was meeting didn't even sit down. They saw her talk, she waved a 1-minute finger single to them, and they turned around and walked out. They wouldn't even answer her phone calls or emails afterwards.

4. If you are woman and this is business, it's appropriate now to stand up and shake the hand of a male. This overrides the old rule of staying seated. If the meeting is for your spouse's business and you are coming along because other spouses are coming, then you stay seated as your spouse stands up. This rules applies for either gender.

5. Offer your hand and give a firm handshake. Sometimes, people who don't like to shake hands will not meet yours. Don't think anything of it if they don't, this is just their preference. And particularly don't say something cute or funny.

6. Think of an opening statement to make as you are shaking hands. This is part of your first impression, so make it good. Always use the guest's first name either at the beginning or at the end of the statement. For example, "Thank you for taking the time to get together today, Catherine." When needing to complete a group of introductions, highest rank rules over gender.

7. Small talk is important--don't leave it out. The length of time for small talk depends on many factors. If you are in the presence of famous or very rich people and not in a social setting, then the small talk, if any, is going to be quick and short. It could be as short as one or two sentences. People who know how much their time is worth, or who are doing you a favor by being there, also fall into this category.

8. Aha, who picks up the tab? If you did the inviting, you are responsible for the check. No matter how more well-off they are. If a joint meeting, ask at the beginning or when scheduling the lunch on check splitting. Waiting until the check arrives to state the check splitting is a sign of professional weakness. If you are meeting with someone who is giving you valuable advice, you must pick up the tab. A personal handwritten follow-up note is also appropriate. If they have saved or helped you make more money, send them a gift or gift certificate. If you don't you will never get any more of their time again. This has occurred to me, and the person never gets any time again.

9. Where does the napkin go? Immediately after sitting, place the napkin in your lap. If you notice the napkin is in the goblet, this is usually a signal from the restaurant that the server will place the napkin into your lap. If you excuse yourself during the meal, place the napkin on the left hand side of your plate or on the chair. This signals the server that you aren't done. When done, place napkin on the right of the plate and your fork and knife horizontally across the plate to signal the server.

10. What to eat and use first? Which glass or which fork can be confusing. Bread and salad plates always to the left, drinking glasses to the right. Utensils start from the outside in and the dessert fork is by the dessert plate. Lay your fork and knife across your plate to signal the server you're finished.
Keywords: etiquette, lunch, meetings, business, marketing, CatherineFranz, how-to, article, free

Catherine Franz, Arlington, VA USA
catherine@abundancecenter.com
http://www.abundancecenter.com
Catherine Franz is a 30-year veteran in the marketing industry and is a Certified Business Coach, Certified Teleclass Leader and Trainer, and Master Attraction Practitioner. Her clients include accounting firms, restaurants, retail stores, coaches, employees wanting to find better jobs, and independent professionals from hundreds of service businesses. For daily marketing tips and newsletters on "Tennis Shoe Marketing," "Law of Attraction," and "Marketing Writing," visit: http://www.AbundanceCenter.com or contact her directly at 703-671-5677.

Dining Etiquette...did you know?

http://www.bsu.edu/students/careers/students/interviewing/dining/

From Ball State University - - the above web site offers great tips and reminders on dining etiquette - - please take a minute to check it out before your next business dining experience!

Dining Etiquette
Table manners play an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visible signals of the state of our manners and therefore are essential to professional success. Regardless of whether we are having lunch with a prospective employer or dinner with a business associate, our manners can speak volumes about us as professionals.

February Meeting Notes...

Women’s netWork
manisteewomen@yahoo.com


For those who missed it…

The Women’s netWork met for their regular luncheon Thursday, February 16 at the Tuscan Grille on River Street in Manistee. Nearly fifty women attended on the cusp of a blizzard.
The program focused on the kick-off of the Women’s Empowerment Giving Circle Career Mentoring Program. The first mentors/mentees were matched and they will begin meetings.
Selected for the program were Katherine Russell, a Brethren High School student with an interest in architecture. Her mentor is local architect Kendra Thompson and their work will focus on the new Manistee Blaker Airport terminal project.
Also selected was Megan O’Brien, a Manistee High School student with an interest in political science. Her mentor is Manistee County Commissioner Janice McCraner. Megan will be exposed to county commission meetings as well as the political scene in Lansing and around the state.
This program is being made possible as a direct result of the Women’s Empowerment Giving Circle fund that was created by the netWork through the Manistee County Community Foundation.
A second round of career mentoring will take place in Fall, 2006. More information will be available late summer through the MCCF. Cash donations for the Giving Circle are always encouraged and welcome.
Also discussed at the February 16 luncheon: 360 degrees - the Measure of a Leader that will be held in Manistee May 5th at the Manistee United Methodist Church. The live simulcast will feature a renowned line up of leadership experts for a remarkable day of leadership training. Contact Sally Koon at Jackpine Business Centers for more information.
The League of Women Voters of Michigan invites people to an informal gathering to discuss reconstituting the Manistee County Chapter. The meeting will take place at the Bear Lake Manor on the corner of Main and Smith Street in Bear Lake Monday March 6 at 7:00pm. RSVP to 864-2686.
Athena Award nomination forms are now available from Joni Purgiel at National City Bank or from the MECCA office at 11 Cypress Street. The award will be presented Wednesday, May 3rd at the Athena Award Program and luncheon during the Celebrate Women Festival.
Women are invited to learn more about how The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) can enhance your professional career, and the benefits of membership, by attending a special meeting of the Sandy Shores Chapter from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at the Manistee City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, Manistee. The keynote speaker will be Julian Tonning. You may R.S.V.P. by phoning Cindy Lokovich at 231-398-2801 or by e-mail to clokovich@ci.manistee.mi.us.
The next monthly luncheon is Thursday, March 16, 2006 at the Tuscan Grille. Email manisteewomen@yahoo.com for more information.

SURVIVING AND EXCELLING

SURVIVING AND EXCELLING WITH THE CHANGES IN YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE CAREER

Change is constantly occurring and seems to be coming at a much more rapid rate. Your success as an administrative professional will be determined by whether you recognize, and how you handle, these changes. Whether it is enhancing your current skills or learning new skills, knowing who to contact for information about various topics, or networking with other administrative professionals, the International Association of Administrative Professionals® (IAAP®) can give you insight into these questions, plus much more.

All administrative professionals are invited to hear our keynote speaker address the topic of change, learn how IAAP can enhance your professional career, and gain insight into the profession by attending an informational meeting of the Sandy Shores Chapter of IAAP from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15 at the Manistee City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, Manistee.

IAAP is the world’s largest professional association for administrative staff, with nearly 700 chapters and 40,000 members and affiliates worldwide. For over 50 years, IAAP has provided up-to-date research on office trends, cutting edge publications, outstanding seminars and conferences, top-notch resources to help administrative professionals enhance their skills and become more effective contributors to their employers.

For more information about attending the meeting, and to R.S.V.P., contact Cindy Lokovich at 231-398-2801, or via email at clokovich@ci.manistee.mi.us

Women’s netWork Donates Books

Women’s netWork Donates Books to Manistee County Library


MANISTEE - - - - The Manistee County Library has a new collection of books thanks to the Women’s netWork in Manistee County. At their regular December meeting, the women each brought a book on a professional development and leadership related topic. The collection was donated to the library.
“We often recommend books through out netWork, but we also know not everyone can afford to purchase the books on their own” said Judy Ouvry, one of the founders of the netWork. “So giving the books to the library was our gift to all women in the area - - - access to a wealth of information important to the professional development and leadership of women.”
Thanks to the Manistee County Library, these netWork books will be easy to identify and find at the library. Simply ask for the list at the circulation desk for a copy of the Women’s netWork books. All the books are currently on special display at the Manistee library.
“Manistee County Library was happy to receive books from the Women's netWork. At the December meeting, members of the netWork donated books that had touched their lives,” said Sue Wess, Executive Director of Library Services for Manistee County. “ The library is pleased to share these books with the community.”
For more information about the netWork check out the blog at http://womensnetwork.blogspot.com . The netWork meets the third Thursday of each month. For more information contact the netWork at manisteewomen @yahoo.com