Everyone talks about the Power Lunch, but a good variation is the Power Breakfast. The main aspects of a business lunch, or a business breakfast are enjoyable conversation, business discussion, and agreement. The sharing of food is a minor ritual that binds people. I needed to present a plan of action for a prospective client, who was also a friend. We had already met in his office once and I had been looking over material from his business for my proposal. I suggested a Saturday breakfast. He agreed. We met at one of my favorite little restaurants. Unfortunately, "little" was a problem. I arrived twenty minutes early to get a table. This restaurant doesn't take reservations. I was third on the list. By the time my client arrived there was still one couple in front of us waiting for a table. I quickly looked around at the diners. Some hadn't even been served, yet. I suggested we go somewhere else. I was disappointed, because he had never eaten there before. I wanted to share this culinary delight. We went to a larger restaurant. We ordered and began talking. We just talked about fun things and laughed. Eventually we talked about theatre. Musicals, plays and live entertainment are a mutual passions. After we finished our meals (I picked up the check) we began talking about the proposal over coffee. I wasn't looking to sell him anything. We were both looking for ways that we could work together. He is a vice president with a company that purchased his successful business. He had a meeting later in the week at the other end of the country with the company's president. He wanted to present my information. He wanted to pitch it so it was accepted. He asked for some additional tools, which I promised by Monday (and delivered). At the end of breakfast it didn't really matter if that particular proposal got approved or not. Somewhere in the future we will be working together. We'll probably have to have breakfast at my favorite "little" restaurant, however. We'll just come a little earlier. |
