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Client Lunch at the Louvre? No Way!
Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Art of the Business Lunch
Video Clip: Click to Watch
Imagine you are on a business trip to Paris, France. Your client suggests you meet at the sensational, historic Louvre Museum for lunch. You think, "A business lunch at the Louvre? Well…THAT certainly doesn't happen every day in California!" (or Ohio, NYC, Kentucky, or wherever you call home!) You start to dream of rich pate, steak with butter, des frittes! YUM!
You dress accordingly for such a client lunch – your BEST business suit! You rendezvous with your client just outside the museum and enter the Carrousel du Louvre – the underground entrance to the museum. You walk together toward the newest restaurant at the Louvre. As you see the restaurant, you stop dead in your tracks. Disbelief washes over your face as you gaze upon the restaurant your client is so eager to share with you. You find yourself looking at a McDonald's restaurant and McCafe. You hope you will wake up soon, but – alas – you are not dreaming. In a city known for its haute cuisine and fine art, it is understandable that many French citizens are in an uproar over the opening of the 1,142nd McDonald's to open in France. For the fast food chain, however, it's quite a coup to be able to celebrate their 30th anniversary by opening next to the world's most visited museum. So much for culture! Business Relationship Expert Robin Jay, also known as the "Queen of the Business Lunch," says her clients often expect her to take them to the newest hot spots in her home town of Las Vegas for their business lunches. Jay says, "I think if I lived in France, I'd have to let this opening pass. Aside from the novelty, it would be a business lunch disaster," she adds. "Now, lunch at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas? That's a different story. One of my favorite restaurants for a successful business lunch is Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris!" How should a business professional go about selecting the perfect restaurant for a business lunch? Jay would know. She is the author of "The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2," now available in twelve languages. During nearly twenty years as an advertising account executive, Jay hosted more than 3,000 client lunches. She must've been doing something right, because she saw her sales increase by more than 2000%. "You want to choose a restaurant that caters to business diners. They understand that you are there to accomplish certain lunchtime goals. It's okay to go somewhere that is more casual if your client is on a tight time schedule or if they ask to go there," says Jay. But business professionals who are interested in building productive business relationships should be prepared with a list of restaurant suggestions when they call to confirm a lunch engagement. The list should be organized geographically and meet Jay's "Top 10 List of Criteria" that includes a fabulous, varied menu (a wide selection of fresh or local foods), good acoustics (you don't want to have to shout your business), top-notch service (restaurants that cater to business diners know how to deliver on this point!), and they should be consistent, accept credit cards and reservations, and have a great location (less travel time to and from a restaurant means you'll have more time with your client). "The very technology that was designed to HELP us seems to have consumed us, instead," Jay shares. "But nothing can replace quality face time. Sharing a meal and enjoying quality FACE TIME is more critical than ever for building relationships and, even more importantly, building trust. In our new economy, transparency is essential to success. Breaking bread with others helps to break down barriers and build trust." Jay's newest book is an anthology, published by the Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau. "The Power of the Platform: Speakers on Purpose" features her new chapter, "B Face 2 Face 4 Success." It examines ways to create quality face time, build a community through technology, and – ultimately – build more productive relationships. For more information, contact Robin Jay at Robin@RobinJay.com or call 702-460-1420. Robin Jay
President
Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau
Henderson, NV
702-460-1420
First Url: For more on Robin, click here
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