Whether it be a meeting with potential clients, existing clients, or even your own employees, the atmosphere and menu are crucial to a successful corporate luncheon. You must create an environment that promotes open, creative, and productive communication. This can be achieved by choosing the perfect location and menu for your event. But, where to start?
You must first decide the goal of your corporate luncheon. Do you want everyone to participate in a brainstorming framework? Will this luncheon be a presentation, with one presenter and several audience members? What do you hope to achieve by holding this event? Who will be attending? Are there any special needs to consider? These must all be answered before you can begin planning.
We recommend that corporate luncheons run the duration of two hours in order to ensure ample time to dine, socialize, and conduct business. It is most effective to begin your meeting with an informational presentation or an explanation of the purpose of the luncheon. Next, you should allow your guest to dine and discuss what has been presented. This is a time to casually mix social interactions with business interactions, thus allowing your meeting participants to develop a relationship in which they can more freely express ideas and opinions. Finally, you should conclude your business luncheon with a brief wrap-up to summarize the highlights of the meeting and possibly a question and answer session. It is important that this be kept brief because your guests will be tired and a bit distracted due to the fact that they just finished a meal.
The location and the location’s structure have the largest impact on the mood of your luncheon. It is important to have a private room or, if one is not available, a private section. This is important to reiterate that your group will remain private to insiders and outsiders. Depending on the size of your group, there are two seating arrangements that are most beneficial: a long, family style table or a U-shaped table. If size permits, it is most effective to keep your entire group at one table. A family style table works best for brainstorming and discussion based luncheons in that it places your guests with peers on each side and across from them. This structure evokes open communication with several participants and the freedom to participate in more than one conversation. A U-shaped table works best for presentation structures in that you can assemble a podium or a projection screen in the open top of the U and all of your guests would have exceptional visibility. If the facility provides you with a separate dining or break area, take advantage of this. People are naturally inclined to socialize when placed in groups especially when dining. If you present the food on a spacious outdoor patio or allow breaks in a plush cigar lounge, your guests will come back to the meeting refreshed and focused.
The menu and food presentation need to be preplanned in order to effectively use the time at hand. It is crucial to preorder the food so that it will be ready exactly when you scheduled time for it. This is possible with a buffet as well. Although, buffets are not recommended for they are casual in nature and encourage returning for a second or third trip, which decreases the time that you will be using for the meeting or presentation. After all, you are here for business. A menu that provides 3 options is most successful in that it can accommodate most everyone’s needs and desires. A suggested menu would include: Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic, Tomatoes, Olive Oil and Basil, a Black Forest Ham and Swiss Sandwich with Dijon Mayonnaise and Housemade Chips, and a Santa Fe Salad with Grilled Chicken, Corn Salsa, Black Beans, Avocado, Tortilla Strips, and Roasted Garlic Cilantro Vinaigrette. We suggest these menu items because they are light, healthy, and after all, no one wants to return to work with a full stomach. It is important to chose a location that provides a professional serving staff. All of the details have been pre-arranged, so technically you should never be interrupted. You will give your order before the meeting begins so as not to be interrupted, your drinks will be silently refilled, and your plates will be served and cleared, without you even noticing. This service exists and as a professional, you reserve the right to demand it. The focus should remain on your event. The complete environment should create and enhance the mood, not dominate the outcome of your event.
Allie Cahill is Office Manager for Mum’s Restaurant in Long Beach. For more information, call Mum’s at 562/437-7700.
Whether it be a meeting with potential clients, existing clients, or even your own employees, the atmosphere and menu are crucial to a successful corporate luncheon. You must create an environment that promotes open, creative, and productive communication. This can be achieved by choosing the perfect location and menu for your event. But, where to start?
