Sales and Marketing - Jen Jordan

Why Business Lunches Still Make "Cents"

Esquire editor Lee Eisenberg swears the power lunch is dead. While we tend to point fingers at the pandemic, Eisenberg feels business lunches "... [were] already dead before the pandemic had us all eating last night’s leftovers alone in our kitchen, standing at the counter in our sweatpants."

This dismal image is a solid argument for reviving business lunches. While extravagant lunches at pricey locations may be a thing of the past, the core of the business lunch remains valuable for small businesses.

Tax Deductible

Rather than contributing to the demise of the business lunch, the pandemic enhances several benefits of these lunches for small businesses. The business lunch makes fiscal sense, as it is 100% tax deductible through the remainder of 2022. Even ordering food for delivery to eat during a Zoom business lunch is a deductible business expense.

Lunchtime Bonding and Loyalty

In an age of remote working and increased distance from customers, coworkers, and fellow business owners, business lunches make sense from a human perspective.

With Customers

In a time when people have become accustomed to working from home and eating alone, a fresh opportunity awaits to reconnect with new and established clients and coworkers.

Exchanging the walls of an office for a local diner is like marketing for your meeting. Working lunches can be valuable environments to establish and build relationships in a relaxed, social environment. As a result, this can create both customer and employee loyalty.

Lunch environments allow for long overdue socializing, shared laughter, and flowing conversation. This contrasts with Zoom meetings, where at-home distractions can interfere with valuable discourse.

This deviation from the workday can be a much-needed shift. Creating this positive, engaging environment allows attendees to be more fully present rather than watching the clock or getting distracted by the busy email inbox. Your customers emerge feeling valued and valuing you in return.

With Employees

This non-threatening environment can be critical to your employees’ sense of satisfaction and belonging. Whether dining out or having a catered lunch, this shift in the workspace can soften tough conversations. Additionally, working lunches can facilitate brainstorming and collaboration.

The Business Edge

Business lunches can also give you an edge in securing a meeting. It can be challenging to align calendars and secure a business meeting with a customer. Even the busiest schedules have openings to eat, and people aren’t likely to turn down a free meal. Utilizing these lunches in a business setting will make the meeting more memorable and leave a positive impression in your client’s mind.

Educational business lunches are an excellent way to teach your ideal customers about products or services and share valuable knowledge. Consider using your next business lunch to bring valued local customers together for a time of learning, networking, and collaboration.

Hidden Savings

Hosting purposeful lunches in your small business can add value to your work environment and equip your employees for success. It’s the perfect opportunity to discuss everything from industry-specific learning opportunities to health, wellness, and work-life balance.

Redefining successful business lunches can offer an opportunity to find what best fits your business. Although the pandemic shifted business lunches from suits to sweatpants, the event still holds value. Take this opportunity to experiment and explore new ideas and strategies to find the business lunch that benefits your small business.

Works Cited

https://toughnickel.com/business/The-Benefits-of-a-Working-Lunch

https://artfulliving.com/is-the-power-lunch-dead-2022/

https://www.therootastes.com/blogs/company-culture/5-benefits-of-corporate-lunch-program

https://carsonvheady.wordpress.com.

https://www.travelperk.com/blog/why-business-lunches-still-matter-so-much/