Leaving the office for lunch may seem like a dream these days since you barely have time to wolf down a Power Bar between appointments. But business meals are a great way to make contacts and give prospective clients or employers a glimpse of your professional persona. “How you behave at the dining table is how people believe you are in the real world,” says Suzanne Bates, CEO of Bates Communications, a corporate coaching firm and author of Speak Like A CEO: Secrets to Commanding Attention and Getting Results. “It’s about more than just using the right fork,” she states. And breaking bread whilst doing business isn’t just limited to the “power lunch” anymore. You can invite your contacts to breakfast, dinner, coffee, or even cocktails. Before you invite someone out, make sure they-and you-have a clear idea of why you want to meet with them, advises Diane Danielson, CEO of Downtown Women’s Club, a professional networking site for women and the co-author of Table Talk: The Savvy Girl’s Alternative to Networking. Not sure whether to go with casual coffee or serious spread? Read our guide.
