Many professionals today understand how important socializing is to career advancement. It’s not enough to be good at your job. You also need to know how to socialize with your peers. Impress the right people, and new opportunities will come your way. But if you don’t perform well in social situations, you might find it more difficult to climb the corporate ladder.
Of all the corporate rituals, none is more important than the business dinner. Anyone who wants something will have to wine and dine with the people who can make it happen. It’s your chance to make a good impression and show that you are ready for greater things. Life-changing decisions are routinely made over steaks and martinis.
Of course, you’ll need to have the right training and temperament to do well in these kinds of situations. Preparation can go a long way in making a good impression on the people who can take your career to new heights. You’ll need to practice what you say and plan what you wear. At the end of the day, you need to allow yourself to shine.
1. Don’t wait too long
Business dinners are just like regular dates in that they are time-sensitive. The opportunity will disappear if you wait too long. If someone invites you to lunch or dinner, you need to say yes immediately. Any sign of hesitation will reflect poorly on you, and you might not get the same opportunity again.
You don’t want to look overeager, however. Thank the person for their invitation and accept it gracefully. There might be times when a rejection is the right thing to do. Always consider the politics within the company when forming a decision. For instance, if the person who extended the invitation is of dubious repute, you can safely turn them down without any repercussions.
Once you’ve accepted the invitation, consider yourself being evaluated by somebody else. Always act like someone is observing you. Don’t forget to show proper dining etiquette, such as showing up early, making polite conversation, and wearing appropriate clothing. Guess women’s shirts can be worn to casual dinners, but if you’re going to an upscale restaurant, you might want to wear something nicer.
2. Address everyone by name
So the day of the business dinner has arrived, and you now find yourself among the company of your peers. Make it a point to greet everyone by name. Shake hands with the most senior person at the table and work your way down. Make sure to introduce yourself if you’re meeting someone new.
Even if the dinner were organized by someone else, the tone of the evening would be decided by the highest-ranking person at the table, such as an executive-level manager. The dinner starts once they sit down. Discreetly mirror their actions. You don’t want to look like you’re copying their every move.
3. Try to fit in
As much as you want to stand out, you shouldn’t deviate too far from what the group is doing. Orders will be received based on seniority: executives first, then the managers, and finally, the rank-and-file employees. It’s considered polite to ask somebody else for menu recommendations.
There are exceptions if there are certain types of food you can’t or don’t eat. Don’t announce to the table why you can’t consume something, unless it’s a food allergy. Finally, follow what everyone is ordering. You don’t want to order a steak if everyone else is having a salad. You may want to avoid noisy or messy food to keep distractions to a minimum.
4. Watch what you say
Don’t be fooled by the casual nature of business dinners. You still need to act professionally since you’re dealing with your colleagues. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in the office. Of course, you can let your personality shine a little. Just make sure to remain respectful of others. Most importantly, don’t talk about anything that may cause friction in the group.
Acceptable topics for conversation include business affairs and issues, personal hobbies, and family. It pays to do your research ahead of time to avoid awkward accidents. Wait until your agenda is brought up, and talk about it. Depending on the situation, you can either make a powerful argument or talk casually about it.
The bottom line
Every professional needs to learn how to conduct themselves in social situations. If you develop your social skills, you could gain access to new opportunities. It also helps to learn how to salvage a deteriorating situation, if only to prevent further damage.