The Times Book Review
Taking Advantage of Business Lunch Time

Perhaps the best time to kill two birds with one stone is when having a meal with a potential client or a colleague. How can you take advantage of getting the most out of these occasions? This question is addressed by Angela Jameson, CEO and founder of Jameson Ltd., a Manhattan-based consulting group for business development strategies. She says it is important to be efficient in establishing your objectives. Make sure you plan them well. Here is what you should do the next time you have that business lunch.

1. You should really prepare what you want to get out of the meeting.
2. You might prepare some introductions or 'ice breakers' that will make it easier to begin a conversation.
3. You should be ready to follow up with an appointment, so have your agenda with you.
4. Using search engines look up all the latest on your lunch guest and the sector of activity you will be discussing.
5. You may want to consider how you will introduce sensitive subjects in the conversation.
6. You ought to consider what you will wear.
7. You ought to be prepared to pick up the tab.
8. Remember to review all of the information on your lunch guest including work history, previous meetings, and other relationships.

For more information on how to succeed in business lunches you can read Angela Jameson's book "Communicating Effectively and Efficiently".
Bershire publications 2006.

John Dean
The Times Book Review