A meeting outside the office can be an exciting change of pace when done right. More than that, it can even be more productive than a regular business meeting in the office. Hilton Worldwide surveyed 607 meeting organizers in the U.S and discovered that 63% of them thought off-site meetings were more productive than meetings in the office.
Why More Companies Should Have Restaurant Business Meetings?
One problem with office meetings is that they can be so frequent and repetitive that it gets monotonous. The monotony stifles creative thinking as employees switch off during meetings because they are just running through the motions.
Employees meeting at a restaurant tend to be more focused on the agenda. Losing focus on the meeting to answer a text, phone call, or email is more likely to happen in an office setting. A restaurant meeting reduces distractions.
Another reason an off-site business meeting would be preferable is an instance where there are external attendees. While having the invited party come to the office is a welcoming gesture, a meeting at a venue such as a restaurant is neutral territory.
Neutral territory makes the other party feel more at ease, aiding discussions and negotiations. Internal employee meetings at a restaurant let them network more personally. Boundaries and hierarchies are more seamless, fostering meaningful interactions between different levels of employees and clients.
Tips For a Seamless Business Meeting at a Restaurant
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Location
The Hilton Worldwide survey cited proximity and a relaxed environment as reasons for choosing a particular venue. As the planner, you should be willing to go the extra mile by choosing a restaurant closer to the attendee’s location when it comes to proximity.
If your group is large, you should restrict yourself to eateries that have separate function areas; otherwise, you may have an unwieldy disconnected event on your hands.
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Food
To begin with, avoid exotic cuisine restaurants such as Mexican/Chinese unless you know that the other party enjoys it. Giving the attendee three restaurant choices will help with this.
Consider dietary restrictions too. Having a vegan or Muslim over and realizing that there is nothing on the menu that caters to them is an embarrassment you want to avoid. Check out the restaurant ahead of time to know the kind of service and quality of food they offer.
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Alcohol
In many restaurants, alcohol will be on the menu. This is a grey area that will differ with every setting. Drinking at work is not the taboo it once was as long as it’s moderate. Research has even shown that those with riskier drinking patterns tend to occupy higher positions than their peers. It also improves creativity and provides more fluid conversation, making the meeting more productive.
However, if you drink, be mindful that not all drinks are created equal. A martini, such as the Absolut Drinks Espresso Martini, is a safe bet. A 7 and 7, on the other hand, is not a drink with a sterling reputation. In any case, if in doubt, do not imbibe.
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Environment
Reserve a place with a quiet ambience and a seat that offers enough privacy without being secluded from the restaurant’s buzz. This allows you to discuss confidential matters but doesn’t negate the entire reason for coming to a Cincinnati Hyde Park restaurant in the first place – more ease and freedom to be creative and be yourself.
Preparation is the key. Know what you can about the sitting location, the food, and the drinks. Speak about other things other than business. Don’t make the meeting feel rushed or seem like you have elsewhere to be. There’s a reason you picked a cozy restaurant, so use it to your advantage.
