Entertaining Clients

So, your boss just called and says you will be entertaining clients while they are in town for a visit.What do you do?? Freak out? NO!This can be very simple as long as your planning is in place and youhave done your research. Entertaining clients can be very simple.

First step, do your research. You need to know their likes and dislikes, but how do you get this valuable information? Easy, ask, listen and investigate.The easiest way is to simply ask the questio, what do you like to do? Most clients will provide at least a bit of info on their likes and disikes, for example do they want to go golfing? Or are they gourmet food lovers? Some will be more difficult and just say they will leave it up to you to decide. These are the most difficult but not impossible to figure out. If they are existing clients and have relationshis with others in your company start your ivestigation there. What did your colleagues do when the client cam to visit? Do they have any suggestions for you? Another source would be your own relationships with others in the clients company ask around, you may be surprised at the information others are willing to share wit you. Be pointed and ask direct questions. Do they like to golf? What is their favorite drink? Do they have any dietary restrictions?

If the above suggestions don't work then you will need to do some thinking. Find out what tourists do when they visit, read restaurant reviews to find the best restaurants, ask around the office about how others entertain clients. Set up a generic plan of things to do and places to see but be flexible, have a back up plan and be ready t change pace immediately. You dont want to bore them!

So next time you have to entertain clients think about what we have written about above and above all, be prepared. These relationships can make or break your carreer, make the most of them.