PROCESS ESSAY - “HOW TO HOST A BUSINESS DINNER”

There are times when people’s schedules do not permit time for lunch, thus, an evening meeting must be scheduled way beyond the unusual business hours to discuss a project in question. But what if you’re chosen as the host? Do you know what to do? Here are some tips I got from HIM Magazine’s article titled “How to Host a Business Dinner” published last 2008 which you can use to come up with a fruitful and successful business dinner.

In choosing your meeting place, always put into consideration the convenience and comfortability of the guests; it is precisely the reason why a high-caliber restaurant us always preferred. Moreover, it is a general rule to pick international cuisines. Now, as the host, it is your responsibility to be the first to arrive at the meeting place to know on the onset what you are having.



For the seat plan, seat yourself facing the entrance of the restaurant so that you can rise to greet the arriving guests. Let each guest who just arrived to have a stress reliever – cocktails! It also puts everyone in a relaxed mood. One more thing, having more than one cocktail is not advised.

You may ask where you can order the cocktails, the answer is: order them from the “hospitable” price range of the cellar. It will be a red that will most likely appropriate.

It is mandatory to order a starter, may it be a soup or a salad before the main course. Afterwards, let the main course be served. As you are eating your dinner, open up the topic to be discussed. Do not wait until the dinner is over to go over the subject in question – no one has that much time to spend on business. One more tip, never ever bring up politics or religion in the topic. Always remember the “Golden Aim” – to have an agreement in principle, thus, there is no need to go into excessive details.

Then by dessert and coffee, have a celebratory toast or an agreement to revisit some issues. And although the meeting was an absolute failure, end it in a hopeful note, with both parties agreeing to look into disagreements. Finally, wait for your guests’ cars to be driven up the entryway and let them get in the driveway before going home yourself.

To host a business dinner is not an easy task to do, but I hope that with the tips given above, doing it so will just be a piece of cake for you from now on. Always remember that this is done for a reason, so put your 100% effort on it but also do not forget to enjoy and have fun with the guests.


Reference List:
(2008, March). How to Host a Business Dinner. Him, 112(168), 39.


REFLECTION:
- Since this is the first of the four minor essays that i have written, I find it a little hard and confusing because I have to follow a method on how I will do it. I was not used to it because I am not that good in doing essays.. i just write and write and write! However, I am glad that the outcome of what I did is quite good I think because I can understand myself what I am trying to tell my readers and I guess, they will find it easy to follow, too. =)