Networking is such an essential part of business. It’s a great way to make new connections. To meet people that could help to grow your business and to find new clients. But, also to build professional relationships for your future. Not everyone that you meet will be useful right now, but if you maintain these relationships, you never know when they could become powerful.
One of the best ways to meet people, and find out more about them, in any capacity, is over dinner. Food gives you an icebreaker, and a great chance to sit around a table without distraction for a decent period. It gives you a brilliant opportunity to get to know people and pitch your business to them, without constant interruption and moving around to mingle. Business dinners are a traditional way to network, which are still very much in fashion. Here’s how to get it right.
Location
The location of your dinner is one of the most important decisions, and certainly one of the first things that you need to think about. If your dinner is small, you might be tempted to host it at home, either getting caterers in or cooking yourself. This can be great, and it’s certainly the more personal approach. But, it can add to the pressure of the event. You might instead want to use a hotel meeting room for rent, a private area of a restaurant, or even hire out a whole venue, depending on the size of your guest list and catering options. Just remember to think about parking, how far people have to travel, space and size and staffing arrangements.
Food
The food is another important consideration. Try to be overly complicated, and you’ll be faced with plenty of special requests and dietary requirements, as well as a risk that it just won’t go down well. Keep things simple and choose foods that are easy to eat without fuss or mess.
The Guest List
If you are on LinkedIn, it’s a great tool when it comes to planning your guest list. Filter your connections list to see who is available in your city. You’ll also be able to see what they are doing and even take a look at their connections to see if there’s anyone they know that might be worth inviting. If you want to expand your network and meet new people, ask your invitees to bring a friend that might be interested. If there’s someone in your industry or a related field that you admire, why not invite them along? Everyone loves a nice dinner!
Invitations
Once you’ve got your guest list and a location that works, it’s time to invite people. Business people are busy, so make sure you send your invitations out with at least a few weeks’ notice. Then, send an online reminder or email two days before the event.
Introductions
When everyone arrives, spend a little time introducing everyone. If you are the only connection, you could face a very quiet dinner. So, have a short time chatting and making introductions before everyone sits around a table.