“Business Dining Etiquette: Where Business and Social Skills Meet” Program

More than 50% of All Business is Finalized at the Dining Table

Among other things, business meals are used in getting to know a client, deciding to become a business partner in a venture, networking, and signing the contract. What does that mean? Your employees’ manners are on display at the dining table and it's a reflection of your company.

The following program points will leave your employees feeling comfortable and confident at the dining table:

Prior to the event

What to do with your cell phones and blackberry
Remember the purpose of the event
Selecting the restaurant
Who orders the wine?
Which wine to order? (Red, White, Rose or Champagne)

Responsibilities of the host

Extending the invitation to a client
Making the arrangements at the restaurant
Meeting your guest when they arrive
When you see someone you know
Seating your guest
Are you a co-host?
Who orders first?
Keeping an eye on your guests
What to do with rudeness at the table
When to bring up business

Responsibilities of the guest

When and how to sit at the table
Proper distance from your body to the edge of table
When to order your food
What should you order
My food order is incorrect
Addressing the server
Small talk and topics to avoid at the table
When do you start each course?

At the table

Using your napkin
Drinking at the meal?
Sounds to avoid
Excusing yourself from the table

Mastering the eating styles: American or Continental

Understanding the order of use of each utensil
How to properly hold your utensils: each style
How to signal that you are pausing at the meal
How to signal that you have finished your meal
I dropped a utensil?

During the meal

Eating your bread
Enjoying that fabulous sauce
My food is too hot
Reaching for items (bread, butter, dressings, salt and pepper)
My food just rolled off the plate?
Removing food from your mouth
Sharing your food?
Dealing with difficult food
I put ketchup on everything
Excusing yourself during the meal
Asking for what you need

Toasting the guest of honor

When to make the toast
What to say when giving a toast
Responding to a toast

The end of the meal

Do you ask for a doggie bag?
Paying the bill
What is a proper tip?

Attending cocktail parties

The purpose of the event
But what about the food?
To drink or not to drink
Prepare yourself to shake hands
Secrets of the best conversationalist

I Need Something Else

No company is quite like yours. So, if you have a training need that demands a highly-specific solution, we can help. Customization allows you to align your company’s unique goals to the training.

One-on-One Confidential Training:

This training may be delivered in a variety of ways, including over the telephone or online.

Minor Adjustment:

Includes course name changes, minor searchable terminology changes and addition of logos.

Tailored Training:

Modify our courses to address your organization's specific needs, including modification of role playing and other exercises, cosmetic and terminology changes. Our pre-training analysis aligns course content, activities and examples with your organization's strategies, culture, and objectives to deliver a program tailored just for you.

Customized Training:

For more specific or complex training initiatives, our design team can assess your organization's needs, then create a learning solution that is uniquely yours to help you achieve your business goals.