It would be fair to say that client entertainment has developed significantly over the years. Once upon a time, it might have involved boozy excursions. While this still might take place in some industries, on the whole, such practices are becoming less common.
Instead, client entertainment tends to be more regulated, and a greater degree of professionalism is embedded within it. Of course, this doesn’t mean that it’s boring, and through the course of today we will mull over some of the key do’s and don’ts to make sure that your business is taking care of clients the right way.
Table of Contents
Location, location, location
The importance of where you choose to host your events is an utter cliché for a good reason. In short, when it comes to these events, your location matters. We don’t want to reiterate the point we made on alcohol – but the days of relying on this alone are long gone. The details matter and the venue falls into said category.
For some companies, this might be reliant on business meeting rooms and golf at somewhere like the Belfry. Others might opt for something a little different. The point we are trying to make is that don’t choose the venue as a second thought – it is key to the whole day. Make sure you factor in your client’s interests when you make your decision, and build your day out from there.
Don’t be the first to leave
First and foremost, you’re under no obligation to be out until the early hours. Sure, the company credit card might be funding your evening, but you are within your right to have boundaries.
With that being said, try not to leave the event too early. The last thing you want is your clients to be huddled around themselves for hours on end. After all, you’ve taken the time to entertain them, and you need to finish the job, make sure you socialize with them too. Sometimes, this might breach your standard work hours, but as long as this isn’t a regular occurrence it’s something that you should accept.
Resist the urge to talk shop
Sure, the overall purpose of this might be for work, but resist the urge to talk shop unless your clients actively pursue this topic.
The main aim of these days is to build long-term relationships and ultimately benefit later down the line when clients tap into these relationships. If you try and go for the kill straight away and try to strike deals, you’re on an absolute hiding to nothing.
A final point on alcohol
It’s something that we touched upon in the early parts of this article, but we have to conclude proceedings with a final point about alcohol. As much as it used to grab the headlines when it came to client entertainment, those days are long gone.If you overindulge, you are risking your company’s reputation. Suffice to say, this isn’t what modern-day client entertainment is all about – there are far more innovative ideas which are going to foster better relationships in the long-term.
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