A winning business lunch is all it takes!

Wednesday, 14 January 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Your image matters, especially when you’re in a business environment. A business lunch can often be more productive than an office meeting. Getting out of the office and off the phone creates an environment more conducive to relaxing and candid conversation. Whether you’re going to a business lunch with your peers, recruiters, clients or partners, whatever it is, several components will make a huge impression during a business lunch. Yet many business folk are not familiar with proper dining etiquette.

Here’s what you need to know to help make your business lunch both productive and enjoyable: Time and place – Get there early. Always know the set-up of the restaurant and make sure both the venue and your table are right for your objective. When to talk business – If you’re having a social conversation, don’t bring up business until you have received your drinks and ordered your meals. Then, when business talk commences, frame the conversation around your guest. Ask about their business, what they’re working on and where they need help. Even family and vacations are a good topic. This will give you a clear understanding of context and provide a natural segue into explaining how you and your company might be of assistance. Speaking of drinks...sorry, Don Draper – if you’re taking clients to lunch and your company is paying, you should probably skip the alcohol. But if your client wants to imbibe, let him/her order a drink. A good rule of thumb is to let your guests order first, so they’re not inhibited by your choice.

Turn off your phone – Now is not the time to be checking your incoming email or texting your colleague. Picking up your phone between courses instead of talking to others at the table is not good manners. Finally...have fun – be yourself! There’s a reason you’re not in the office. You can accomplish quite a lot with business lunches, but you shouldn’t lose sight of why they work so well: When people can relax and have a good time, they’re more likely to open up, making it easier to strengthen a business relationship. The million dollar question – where is the best place to have your business lunch? Choosing the right setting, service and food just about sets the ‘cherry on top.’ If you’re clever enough to choose the right place, then you’re clever enough to win your client over. Well, think no further than The Kingsbury! With scrumptious business lunch menus prepared for you in a jiffy, you don’t have to worry about going that extra mile to please them – The Kingsbury sets the standard for you. Take a culinary trip while you talk business with flavourful lunch menus that will be revitalising than ever before. Indulge in mouth watering deals as you make it your business to lunch at The Kingsbury’s Yue Chuan Chinese Restaurant and The Ocean Seafood Restaurant. Savour the distinct flavours, exclusively brought to you from the Far East – Yue Chuan serves authentic Szechuan and Cantonese dishes, prepared with much attention to flavourful detail by Chinese chefs themselves. The Ocean Seafood Restaurant offers the opportunity of treating your clients to a truly splendid seafood affair. It serves an impressive lunch that is sure to faze its guests from Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for just Rs. 1,600 (nett) per person. For reservations call the Food & Beverage hotline on 0771 087 720 or email [email protected].