#1 Body Language and Posture

It takes less than three seconds for someone to evaluate you when they meet you for the first time. This is based on the way you dress but also on your body language and posture. It’s important to be mindful of body language and posture when meeting someone new. Standing up straight and having a firm handshake are always great. However, there are some smaller gestures that will make you look more friendly. For example, you should keep your posture open and don’t cross your arms. Avoiding those gestures will make you look more amiable.

#2 Make Eye Contact

You should make eye contact before you start talking. That’s not all. You should maintain regular eye contact throughout the conversation. Although, it’s important to mention that you should make this feel natural and not like you are staring at the person. A good mix of eye contact to show that you are interested in the discussion is 60/40.

#3 Book Professional Transportation

Whether you are going on a hot date or a business meeting, booking professional ground transportation is always a good idea. You will arrive at the event in a luxurious vehicle that is driven by a professional chauffeur. This helps make a great impression, especially if you choose to book a sophisticated sedan that will make you the talk of the night.

#4 Don’t Be Afraid to Smile

A warm and confident smile is key to making a good first impression. The person you are meeting with will feel at ease, especially if the meeting takes place in a formal setting. The best way to make a smile feel genuine is when it reaches your eyes. This means that you should smile until you feel a tightening of the muscles around your eyes. While the smile makes people feel welcomed, overdoing it can feel weird. So, you should keep that in mind.

#5 Dress the Part

Even if you don’t care a single bit about fashion or style, the way you dress plays a huge role in making a great first impression. The key here is to look clean and neat while also dressing the part. Take into consideration the event you are going to, and make sure to match or slightly exceed the level of formality expected at the event.

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Before we get there, we would like to recommend the contracting of a reliable car service such as our LaGuardia airport shuttle service for your business associates. This will, not only, portray you as a true professional and create a positive impression, but will also indicate to your associates just how much you value and appreciate them. This will, in turn, serve to solidify your business relationship because everyone loves to go where they feel valued, won’t you agree? The following are a few more tips on how to go about a business dinner for a positive outcome.

Date and Time

Select an appropriate date and time that works with your schedule and inform your audience in advance in order to give them ample time to plan for it; preferably two weeks in advance. A business dinner generally lasts anywhere between 2 to 3 hours and alerting your business associates in advance allows them the opportunity to free their calendar, which will prevent them from hurrying through the dinner, ensuring that they stay long enough to fully delve and participate in the agenda of the dinner.

Do your Homework

Find out all you can about your business associates before the business dinner. Gather information from social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. It may sound sneaky, but gathering information on your associates’ interests, hobbies, personal backgrounds, favorite venues, will go a long way in helping you tailor the setting for the dinner as well as the more casual conversations to be had at the dinner table.

The Agenda

In most cases, when delicious food is on the table, people can get carried away and forget that this was, in fact, a business dinner. Regardless of the informal setting, you must keep in mind the real purpose of the meeting. Just like any office meeting, a business meeting must have a clear agenda, motions to be discussed, and conclusions to be made. Do not get carried away and deviate too much.

No Alcohol

This is not the 1950s where you would find whiskey at office dispensers. Remember, drinking impairs your judgment, memory, and ability to communicate effectively. Having alcohol at the business dinner will most likely distract you from the real objective of the meeting, and you don’t want to go back to the office tomorrow and realize that you did not concisely address all the matters you intended to address when you called the meeting. So, lay off the sauce for the night and maintain a business-like state of mind.

If you are thinking about throwing an office party, then read the article published by our Pittsburgh limo service friends at Regency Transportation to discover the best office party etiquette tips.

The post The Art of the Business Dinner appeared first on Islip Limo Car Service.

First impressions are relatively instantaneous. An impending business dinner with a potential client or customer might put knots in the stomachs of even the calmest and collected business people. There’s so much at stake!

An easy way to kick off your first meeting with a bang? Choose a great restaurant for dinner!

Check out some of the best spots on Long Island for a business dinner.

BLACKSTONE STEAKHOUSE

Blackstone is considered the premiere steakhouse on Long Island, with its architectural beauty and comfortable, yet upscale interior.

What makes it so perfect for client meetings? The oversized booths make for a great environment for quiet conversation without intruding on a client’s space. Additionally, the menu has something for all palates. In addition to steaks, there are entrees and a long list of drinks.

FRANINA RISTORANTE

Considered perfect for client dinners due to its quiet and relaxed atmosphere, Franina also has a dynamic menu of traditional Italian favorites.

With both lunch and dinner menus, as well as a long list of wines and cocktails, you can enjoy conversation, great service and delicious food during your next Long Island client meal.

ESTIA’S LITTLE KITCHEN

If you’d like your next dinner meeting to have a more private and homey feel, Estia’s Little Kitchen is Sag Harbor is an outstanding choice.

The menu is full of traditional favorites like paella, crab cakes, and grilled skirt steak. You won’t have to forego service or taste to get the personal, local touches this all-in-one little restaurant provides. And the scenery on the way to the restaurant is truly a sight to behold.

H20 SEAFOOD AND SUSHI

This Smithtown destination serves fresh daily seafood, with selections of finfish, shellfish and more. They also offer plenty of land fare, including a Wednesday-night prix fixe menu with multiple courses, also specializes in the most impressive selections of New York wine.

HUDSON’S MILL

With an extensive martini menu and chic, upscale ambiance, Hudson’s Mill is a great option for both casual and high-stakes client meetings.

Their menu features exceptional entrees like Cajun penne pasta, Andouille sausage, tequila Mahi Mahi and more.

When it’s time for a drink, you can choose from their extensive wine list or indulge in a delicious specialty cocktail.

TOURNESOL

If you’re looking to dip your toes into some genuine French cuisine (while impressing your client), Tournesol on Long Island is an ideal choice. Their menu consists of French favorites like Croque Monsieur, Terrine of Foie Gras, and quiche Lorraine.

If you’d like to turn your business dinner into a brunch, they have full brunch menu with delectable selections like eggs benedict royale and marinated salmon gravlax.

Finding a great restaurant for a business dinner might seem, hard at first, due to the business etiquette you must keep but you’ll find in researching some of the impressive destinations around Long Island that the city is a hearth for delicious local foods, great customer service and atmosphere that is perfect for impressive a new client or prospect.

As we stated at the beginning, first impressions are relatively instantaneous. Fortunately, Islip Limo knows all about the first impressions so we make it our job for you to feel confident to your next business dinner/ lunch.

Islip Limo knows how important is for you to enjoy a hassle free ride when traveling to or from Long Island, that is why we take great care in exceeding your travel expectations. Book a ride with us today and let us take care of your ground transportation needs.

We offer the best and the most customizable limo service in Long Island. The best way to enjoy our top class services is by contacting us today and book one of our highly-equipped limousines.

Let us transform your ride into a stress-free and safe experience. If you had not used our services until now, you don’t know what you have been missing out!

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