The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2

By Robin Jay

Book Overview

What's the one entr e you should never order at a business lunch? Is it ever okay to order alcohol? When should you bring up the subject of business?

The Art of the Business Lunch takes you through every aspect of the business lunch. Robin Jay, the "Queen of the Business Lunch", teaches you proven methods for making the people with whom you do business choose to work with you, instead of your competition, time and time again.

Finally, there is a definitive guide to the business lunch Here is just some of what you will learn:
Whether you should pick up your clients or meet them at the restaurant
How to pick the right restaurants for business and which restaurants to avoid
How and what to order
Is it ever okay to order alcohol?
When to bring up the subject of business
Cell phone etiquette
How to pay for lunch discreetly

Discover what companies are looking for in a candidate when the job interview takes place over lunch. Find out how to turn brief encounters at networking luncheons into solid, long-lasting relationships. Once you learn the secrets to The Art of the Business Lunch, You'll never waste another lunchtime eating alone

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1564148513
• ISBN13: 9781564148513
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Career Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Share a meal and close the deal!

From personal experience through years of owning a newspaper corporation, I learned that some of the biggest deals are closed during social situations, not always behind boardroom doors. I saw this first-hand with politicians in Silicon Valley, with Unions and other businesses. In fact, I had "Power Lunches" of my own where a hand-shake closed many lucrative deals. This outside-the-office setting allowed me to get to know clients and advertisers on a more personal level which led to better business dealings. Even restaurants in Silicon Valley know the value of such social networking because they sell yearly two-for-one cards to their establishments. My newspaper bought these dining cards from Fairmont Hotel, Hyatt House, and LeBaron Hotel. This not only saved money but enabled us to entertain friends and potential clients in fine style in a relaxed atmosphere. As Robin Jay, author of The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 And 2, explains, there is a fine protocol to building business relationships over a short time-span--lunch and on certain occasions a business dinner. She presents full details in this book, showing the readers how to conduct themselves in professional settings with grace and style, and she enlivens the excellent advice with humorous anecdotes that make for an easier reading/learning experience. Since cell phones weren't in common use during my career, I was particularly interested in Robin Jay's advice on proper cell phone etiquette, which has an entire chapter dedicated to it. The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 And 2 is well-written, with easy-to-follow formatting, and will be useful to those interested in building productive business relationships. The author's motto is: Share a Meal and Close the Deal, which is how she inscribed the copy I won in J. Kaye's Book Blog raffle. Incidentally, if you would like to try your luck on winning a book, go to: http://j-kay-book-blog.blogspot.com Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008 1106 Grand Boulevard The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley Millennium Babe: The Prophecy

READ THIS BOOK!

This is an awesome book whether you are hosting or being hosted at any business function as it gives you much more than just "doing lunch". I have been in the retail/wholesale clothing business for over 18 years and sat on both sides of the table. This is a must read for anyone in the business world as it really goes into depth about the "art" of doing business in social settings. Now get this book then call someone and ask them, "Wanna have lunch?".

Great stories!

This is a fun book to read! Robin really lets her personality show through in the writing. The humorous antecdotes are great, but so is Robin's attitude throughout the book. A super book for anyone who needs to network.

How to strengthen business relationships and nourish a career

My rating of this book correctly indicates the value I think it offers but I fear that the title and subtitle may discourage many people from looking beyond the cover. That would be unfortunate because so much of the rock-solid advice which Jay offers is directly relevant to almost any situation in which human beings interact: meals, of course (and not only lunch), as well as coffee breaks, before and after formal programs (conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.), parties, receptions, and during a lengthy airline flight. Jay's primary focus, however, is on how to establish and then strengthen business relationships, especially with clients. She draws heavily on her own extensive experience (e.g. more than 3,000 lunches with clients) as she suggests a number of do's and don'ts and then explains why or why not. I appreciate the fact that she uses so many specific examples to illustrate key points. Her advice is practical. Of greater importance, it is never threatening to one's comfort level. Almost all of her suggestions and recommendations are easily do-able. That is, she does not require a massive transformation of personality. For example, in Chapter 15, she establishes a familiar situation: You are invited to a networking event. You decide to attend only because you know someone else who will also be there. Upon arrival, you locate and then sit with that friend. In fact, you spend most of the time with her or him. You may meet one or two strangers. According to Jay, this is normal behavior. What does she suggest? Pretend that you are attending a wedding reception and that you are either the bride or the groom. How simple! And yet think about it. Who derive the greatest benefit from networking events? Those who are obviously and (key word) genuinely friendly people who circulate throughout the crowd, introducing themselves. They spend most of the time listening rather than talking. They sustain eye contact. They eagerly introduce those whom they have just met to others. They bring warmth and energy to the event. In other words, they behave as a bride or groom would at a wedding reception. I could cite dozens of other examples of Jay's practical wisdom. Point is, this is a "must read" for those who are preparing for or only recently embarked upon a career as well as for those well along in a career who need to be reminded of what is -- and is not -- appropriate behavior, not only in a business relationship but indeed in just about every other relationship. At this point, I presume to share what has really been helpful to me when meeting someone for the first time in out-of-office situations such as those which Jay examines. Inevitably I am asked, "What do you do?" For years, I would immediately cite my title, company, its location, and what the company sells. (By the way, there are no "wrong" answers to that question primarily because most who ask it really don't care.) Blah, blah, blah...Invariably, no matter what I say, I'm told that it is

A "must-have" for anyone in business.

Following the advice in these pages, strategically setting up business lunches with prospective clients and referral sources, as well as current clients, has helped me increase my business significantly over the last 18 months. The practical tips she shares are superb, from grabbing the check to what to order. I run my own publicity and writing business and get a lot of business through word-of-mouth and referrals from colleagues and current clients. In my business, relationship building is extraordinarily important. I already considered myself an "above-average" networker before laying eyes on this book. Who was I fooling? I purchased the book after hearing Robin speak to a group of professional women. What I have learned from Robin has really helped me "kick it up a notch" with phenomenal relationship-building results. I have even come up with an acronym I repeat to myself when I notice I don't have enough business breakfasts and lunches booked on my calendar: BBBB (breaking bread brings business). It's true! Another great thing about Robin's writing is her humor. She is able to share great advice sprinkled with amusing anecdtoes that we can all identify with.