Please note that this post How to plan a successful investor’s dinner has been written by an outside source and I have been paid to publish it. As always, I hope that it’s useful to you.
Planning a business dinner can be daunting, but the benefits of a successful evening engagement are immeasurable. The main goal is for every attendee to feel they had great conversations, met new interesting people, and also learned more about the business without the seriousness of a boardroom. There are a couple of things you should put into consideration before sending out the invitations.
Book the venue
Get to know about your guests’ food preferences before booking the site. Make a good impression by ensuring that the restaurant of choice accommodates everyone’s special requests, such as vegetarian and gluten-free meals. Most venues source their items from trusted companies such as Eu Poultry and the local organic markets. As a host, you should aim at making the experience as comfortable as possible for the guests. You don’t want a potential investor getting a bad stomach, so be careful with this. Look for a restaurant that is willing to accommodate a large gathering on one table or one side of the room.
Do some background research
Do you want a tip on how to wow your guests and leave a lasting impression? Read up on them online or check their business website and social accounts. Get to know their interests because it will be a great conversation point. The dinner meeting is meant to build relationships with investors. They do not want to feel like you see them as walking bank accounts.
Be the first to arrive
As the host, it would make your evening better and run smoothly if you are at the venue early. It will help you assess the feel of the room and preparedness of the staff. If you are in a shared dining room, you will ensure your guests are not seated next to a large group of people. Distractions such as noise and people traffic should be at a minimum.
Footing the bill
Money can be an awkward topic for most people. To avoid making the dinner a complete disaster, you need to decide whether you will pay or everyone will foot their bill. A typical setup is where the host pays for the food and a few drinks.
Match your guest’s consumption
You do not want to be that host who is holding a dessert plate while the guests choose to sip on ice water. Be observant and follow your guest’s lead. If they do not order an appetizer or dessert, then skip it as well. Try adjusting your eating pace to theirs to avoid the awkwardness of sitting in front of an empty plate as your guest continues with their meal.
Follow up
A successful business meeting is one where the guests follow through on their promises. If someone is looking to invest in your business, it is prudent to take note of what you will need to follow up on after the dinner meeting.
The target is to make the dining experience enjoyable and comfortable for all your guests. Steer away from solely discussing business the whole evening by taking advantage of small talk. Be gracious to the restaurant staff, and have fun in the process, but do not outdo your guests.
