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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015
How to impress when hosting a
business dinner
osting a business dinner is both an honor and
a responsibility. Employers typically entrust
only their most valued employees with the
responsibility of hosting a business dinner, and such
opportunities are not to be taken lightly.
H
The desire to impress is there whether you’re hosting
your fi rst or fi ftieth business dinner,
but those with experience hosting existing or potential
clients know that no two business dinners are ever
the same. What works for one client won’t necessarily
impress another, and the responsibility of impressing
the clients falls on the host, which adds to both the
excitement and the anxiety of hosting a business
dinner. But even though hosting a business dinner
may inspire
a few butterfl ies to dance in your stomach, the
following tips can ensure the night goes as smoothly
as possible.
• Know your client. Clients tend to have vastly
different needs and personalities, so while the
ambiance of one restaurant might appeal to some
clients, that same atmosphere might not
be so impressive to others. When choosing a
restaurant, consider its ambiance and how well that
matches up with the client you will be taking out to
dinner. Some clients may prefer to make deals in
more laid back locales, while others may prefer the
fi ve-star treatment. Taking the latter to an all-you-
can-eat buffet will hurt your chances of making a
deal, while the former may take your willingness to
spend lavishly on a meal at a fi ve-star restaurant as
an indicator that your company spends lavishly and
ultimately passes such spending off on its clients.
Understanding your client’s personality should help
you choose a restaurant that’s likely to impress.
• Don’t go in blind. Unless a client requests a
specifi c restaurant, try to choose a restaurant
you have visited in the past. This is benefi cial
in a variety of ways. When visiting a restaurant you
frequent, you’re in position to make recommendations
with regard to the menu,
and that insight can increase the chances that your
client will enjoy his or her meal.
When choosing a restaurant you’re familiar with,
you’re also choosing one where you know the service
is exceptional. If it wasn’t, you would not keep
going back. No one wants a business dinner to be
overtaken by poor service, which, fairly or unfairly, will
refl ect negatively on you.
• Avoid restaurants with gimmicks. Restaurants
with gimmicks, such as those where the staff sings
to customers celebrating a birthday, might be fun
to visit with friends or family members, but such
establishments are best avoided when hosting
business dinners. Gimmicks can interrupt a meal and
make it diffi cult to make any headway on a business
deal, so stick to restaurants where you won’t be
interrupted by celebratory staff members or drowned
out by live music.
of various palates. If taking a client out for the second
time and you remember the client mentioning a love
of a particular cuisine, then
the second dinner is a great time to indulge the
client’s love of that unique or exotic cuisine, especially
if it’s just the two of you.
• Don’t overindulge. Overindulging, whether
it’s eating too much or enjoying one too many
glasses of wine, won’t impress the client. Resist
the temptation to order the biggest steak on the
menu and, if you choose to enjoy a cocktail, drink
it slowly. A full stomach may make you drowsy
and less attentive to your client, while a client will
understandably question your judgement if you
appear to be overindulging in alcohol.
Hosting a business dinner is a signifi cant
responsibility not to be taken lightly. But hosts can
employ a few simple strategies to calm their nerves
and make sure the night goes smoothly.
MOTHERS DAY
CELEBRATION
at
Surfside Restaurant
• Don’t just show up. Nothing is more awkward or
unprofessional than taking a client to dinner and being
forced to wait for a table. If you can’t get a reservation
at your preferred restaurant, then choose another
establishment. Do not wing it and decide to wait for a
table near the hostess or at the bar.
• Avoid exotic restaurants. Unless your client
requests a particular type of cuisine, avoid exotic
restaurants with relatively limited menus. Clients may
have certain food allergies or aversions to particular
types of food, so opt for a neutral restaurant with a
menu that appeals to diners
Sunday, May 10
12 noon – 4 p.m.
PRIZES….PRIZES….PRIZES
x
x Hour Massage from Rose Massage
x Lunch for 4 from Surfside Restaurant
x Dinner for 4 from Surfside Restaurant
An Overnight Staycation in a 3 bedroom suite
From Driftwood Shores
Reservations Needed
CALL 541-997-8263
8 8416 1 st Ave.….Florence, OR
Restaurant
& Tea Room
WE NOW HAVE CRAFT BEER ON TAP
WEDNESDAY: Lightly fried chicken served with Mom's country gravy and a cranberry
compote, mashed yukon potatoes and sautéed green beans
THURSDAY: Pork Chop served with a cinnamon apple sauce,
Prime Rib Wednesday
Includes yukon mashed
potatoes and salad. Only
roasted potato wedges and steamed broccoli
FRIDAY: Panko crusted Salmon fresh pickled cucumbers and
carrots served with lemon dill orzo salad
SATURDAY: Grilled Culotte
$16
served with 3 grilled skewered shrimp, wilted spinach and a crispy potato cake
Open for Lunch & Dinner • Lunch Specials Daily
Reservations Suggested.
165 M APLE S T . • 541-997-9811•
Hours
Tues-Sat:
11:30am-9pm
WWW . MAPLESTREETGRILLE . COM
1285 Bay Street in Old Town Florence, OR 97439
We will be off ering our New dinner menu
on FRI and SAT nights from 5-8pm
1201 35th Street at Kingwood, Florence
Highway 101 & 35 St.
541-997-4623
Mo’s
Mo’s
Hi, Welcome Restaurant
to
®
~ FEATURED LOW-CARB SELECTIONS ~
Every Month
Mo's Grilled,
has brought
"Motivation
SALMON:
Poached, in or special
Blackened
for Kids"
tables
which
raise
money
for
local
charities
CHICKEN BREAST: Boneless, Skinless Breast of Chicken
that are devoted to helping the wellbeing of local
SHRIMP SKEWERS: 2 Grilled Shrimp Skewers
children. This month FLORENCE HEAD START
All of the above are served with
local
charity
being
Green Beans is or the
Mixed
Steamed
Veggies
and honored.
a Shrimp Dinner Salad
NEW
By sitting at these
tables ITEMS
you help a
specific
local RIBS:
charity
each
Baby
Back and
Pork Ribs with the
BBQ PORK
every time. We James
thank Gang
you BBQ
for Sauce
that!
BLACKENED SALMON CEASAR SALAD
Mo’s Old
Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm
®
Mo’s
Town,
Florence
• Daily
11 am - 8 pm
Serving Old
Bowls
of comfort
for Over
50 Years
Serving Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years • 541-997-2185
Beef Stew
Chicken Pasty
Quiche of the Day
Stuff ed Tomato with Chicken Curry
Soups:
Leek and Potato
Clam Chowder • Salmon Bisque
195 Nopal Street • 541-902-0502
www.spiceinfl orence.com
at Sandpines
BEGINNING FRIDAY, MAY 1ST:
Featuring this week:
(541) 902-8338
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00am to Close
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3:00pm to 5:00pm
The Grill & Lounge
Lunch served Wed-Sun 11:30-5:00
HAPPY HOUR 2-5 Wed-Sun
Tasty Appetizers and Great Prices
Taking
reservations
for Mother’s
Day on
May 10th.
Global & Northwest Fusion Cuisine
SEAFOOD, SALADS, GLOBAL TAPAS
GOURMET BURGERS
Stop in and try our
NEW MENU Items!
• Tuesday - Ladies Night $2 off entrée
• Wednesday - Burger & Brew $8.50
• Thursday - $4 Margaritas - $2.50 Tacos
• Friday- $2 off Seafood Entrée
We're not just for Breakfast anymore!
7am to 2pm Every Day of the week
435 Hwy. 101 541-902-2449
TUE, WED, THUR: DINNER 3PM TO CLOSE
FRI, SAT, SUN: LUNCH AND DINNER 11:30 TO CLOSE
CLOSED MONDAY
541-997-1646 1269 Bay Street • Old Town Florence
Le Bouchon
NOW OPEN!
P ROVISIONS
W INE B AR & S ALES - D ELICATESSEN
Locally Baked Pastries – Breads – Muffins
Sandwiches - Soup - Salads
• Big Fat Meat Loaf Sandwich
• Mac & Cheese • Broccoli & Cheddar Quiche
• Morning Glory Muffins
• Croissants (Ham & Cheese or Chocolate)
Wine of the Month: Drops of Jupiter Red Blend
J. Scott – Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Tasting Saturday & Sunday
Open Daily 10 am - 5pm • Closed Mondays
1277 Bay Street- Old Town Florence - 5 41-902 -1391
on
Bay
Happy Hour 3pm-6pm
Well drink specials, Wine and Tapas
1340 Bay Street • Riverfront Dining
Open Daily Wed- Sat at 2pm • Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm
