The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2
by: Robin Jay
It is no secret that good relationships are the key to success in business. But in our increasingly online and virtual world, where relationships are more often than not conducted on Facebook and Twitter, it can be easy to forget the power inherent in a well-conducted business lunch.
Author Robin Jay does a great job of reminding us what an important business and relationship tool a professional lunch can be in this sincere and illuminating book. Though the idea of eating in front of someone you don’t know can be anxiety-inducing for some, Jay makes a convincing argument that the potential rewards more than outweigh the possible risks.
This book covers every detail of the business lunch transaction and the appropriate way to proceed when taking clients to lunch, from someone who clearly knows what she is talking about. Pointers include picking up clients for a first lunch (to make it easier on them and to avoid any confusion at the restaurant), how to discreetly pay for the lunch (including the smooth trick of paying in advance so that you can impress your guest by having taken care of everything), and a helpful list of things and topics to avoid (alcohol and politics).
Though the purpose of the business lunch is clearly to improve your success and your bottom line, the author never comes off as caring only about making money off of the people she takes to lunch. To the contrary, it is clear that her success in her field came about because she truly came to like and care about the people with whom she was developing business relationships, and her willingness to be a listening ear and a friend, through foul weather and through fair. If you are looking for a way to rejuvenate your client base and to close more deals, this is definitely a book you should read and take to heart.
The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2
Author: Robin Jay
Publisher: Career Press
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 254
Binding: Paperback
List Price: $14.99
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