Career Advice - Meetings Over Meals

How to Successfully Conduct Business Meetings Over Meals.

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I just took a new position at my workplace where I am going to be responsible for leading many meetings with my colleagues and our clients. I'd like to conduct these meetings over meals at restaurants, but I'm confused as to the proper way to go about having meetings over meals. Are there some restaurants that are better for conducting meetings? Are there certain meal options I should order when I am leading the meetings?

Sincerely,

Let's Eat and Meet

April Masini's advice:

Dear Let's Eat and Meet,

Congratulations on your new job. Conducting your business meetings over meals are a great idea. They allow everyone to sit down comfortably together while discussing important topics and chowing down on delicious food.

What meal is appropriate for what topic?

The more important topics should be discussed over breakfast or lunch. Coffee and drinks are not appropriate because they are not real meals. They are "add ons" when it comes to business meals, and they don’t provide enough time or decorum for a serious topic. Dinner is the end of the day when most people are tired or want to spend time with their families. The most important meals, by far, in the business world, are breakfast and lunch.

What to order and what NOT to order?

Business meals should be about the business. The choice of venue speaks to the impression the inviter wants to make on the invited. A meal at the Four Seasons will make a more serious impression than a meal at a burger joint. Impressions count.

Food should be just as serious. Order the house special if you’re familiar with it, and recommend it to your guest. Don’t order the house special if you’re not familiar with it or if it’s prepared in a "hit or miss" consistency — sometimes it’s great, other times it isn’t. Like your clothing, stick with classics. Omelets, fish, and salads are all fine. Stay away from finger foods or celebratory foods like waffles with ice cream. You want to appear that you’re responsible, successful, and consistent. Order the same way.