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sellingsellssold

SDR

Politicker
Catalyst
Valued Contributor
+6

Lunch/Dinner with Prospects & Clients

If you are going out to lunch or dinner with a potential prospect or client, what is the proper thing to do in regards to alcoholic drinks. I know many people just get one drink while others get several or some stick with non-alcoholic drinks. If you are first up to order and the waitress asks what would you like to drink what do you order?

🔎 Prospecting
👥 Social Selling
14

18 comments

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CuriousFox
WR Officer
14
🦊
Well if it's dinner be direct and ask if they have a preference of wine for the table. They will tell you if they drink or not.
Incognito
WR Officer
5
Master of Disaster
Ooooooo good one.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
2
Sales
This is the best approach. You’ll know pretty quickly if the expectation is to tie one on. 
Wolfof7thStreet
Valued Contributor
2
AE
Smart! 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
Life alert in the house 🥳
Wolfof7thStreet
Valued Contributor
2
AE
Have yet to go on an in person sales call, but can't wait. Damn covid
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
8
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
I'd always offer the prospect the chance to order first and match them. 

If they pass it back to you, depends on the situation. 

If it's a business lunch and not a Friday I'd probably hold off. 

If it's a dinner where the entire purpose isn't just to talk shop I'd have a beer or glass of wine. 

Doesn't mean you need to go drink for drink.
E_Money
Big Shot
6
💰
Ask for forgiveness, not permission. Good luck
Incognito
WR Officer
6
Master of Disaster
Wait for them to order first. Mirror what they do.
paddy
WR Officer
4
Director of Business Development
I try to stay on pace with them or at least 1 drink behind them. Let them get drunker than you but also get drunk because it's kind of a slap in the face if they're hammered and you're sober. Trust me on this.
DataSlangah
Politicker
3
SAE
The only time I won't have a drink is a breakfast meeting.  Over lunch I will order a beer.  At dinner, all's fair.  
Mobi85
Politicker
1
Regional Sales Manager
If it is a dinner, I am getting a drinks on company dime but keeping it to only 2-3 drinks. If it is a business lunch I stick with water or tea because while I am a degenerate in sales, I don’t want them to really think I am a degenerate in sales and need to start drinking at noon. On the flip side, if any of them say they”ll have a Samuel Jackson beer at lunch I am switching my drink order immediately to that.
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Ask for forgiveness, not permission. Good luck
KingShopper
Politicker
0
JF Negócios Online
At dinner, always opt for wine. Be direct and ask if they have a preference for wine at the table. Then you will know if they drink or not.
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
If I'm first then I usually order what I have a taste for... like an adult.
InfiniteGranite
Executive
0
Senior Enterprise AE
Agreed with what most people are suggesting - better to get a steer from them first as to what they're up for/expecting. 

That said, in most cases I feel like they're just as worried as you and don't want to come off like a degenerate. If you order first you actually do them a favour by setting the agenda and 'enabling' them to also get a beer. 

I think many of the ppl on this site are based in the US so maybe it's different but here in the UK and working in London, if it's a lunchtime meeting, we're having at least 1 beer unless there's a very good reason not to (i.e. driving shortly after, big meeting to get back to the office for, senior person attending who would frown upon it, etc.)
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
Peaky Blinders
Error32
Politicker
0
ISR
Started watching a couple of summer agos and while I am a straight male I have a huge man-crush on Tom Ellis. Recommend it as well

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