Ten Guidelines for At-Home Business Entertaining

By Barbara Pachter

A manager wanted to thank his department for working exceptionally long hours to finish a proposal on time. He invited them to his home for a Friday night dinner to celebrate. This was a gracious and welcomed act on his part except shortly after the meal was served, he had to leave the table for 20 minutes to put his two-year old son to bed. This made his employees feel awkward. They didn’t know if they should continue to eat or wait for him to return.

Entertaining successfully at home can add a lot to your professional image—if done well. You appear as the boss who appreciates others and will go the extra mile for his or her employees. But making some common blunders can detract from your image and even undermine your authority.

Whether as a thank you, team building event, or a holiday celebration, here are 10 guidelines for managers to remember if entertaining in their homes:

1. Make sure your invitation gives the necessary information. Your employees need to know if spouses or dates are invited, the dress code, the time the party starts and ends, and whether or not a meal will be served.
   
   
2. Check dietary requirements ahead of time. Many people are vegetarians or have restrictions. Make sure there is something for every one to eat. Keep the food simple and easy to eat. No spare ribs or spaghetti.
   
   
3. Make sure your children are well behaved or you have a babysitter available. You don’t want them distracting your guests. Same rule applies to pets. Many people are frightened of dogs or may be allergic to animals.
   
   
4. Prepare you spouse or partner. Let him or her know who is coming and why. Try to share something about each person so that your spouse or partner can make conversation with all of your guests.
   
   
5. Clean your entire house. You don’t want to undermine your image by having your guests see a dirty bathroom or a messy home office. A salesman was having dinner at his director’s home when he accidentally opened a closet, thinking it was a rest room, and he was met with an avalanche of coats, hats, and board games.
   
   
6. Be cautious with liquor. If you serve alcohol make sure no one gets drunk, yourself included. Offering just wine and beer instead of hard liquor is simpler and safer.
   
   
7. As the host, make sure you mingle with everyone. Help others mingle also. If everyone doesn’t know everyone, make the introductions. Don’t just talk about business. This is an opportunity to get to know others outside of the business environment. Just don’t get too personal.
   
   
8. If you can, arrange for help for serving and cleaning up. This way you will get to interact with your guests.
   
   
9. If you have music, choose something that all will like. I attended a party at a client’s home once and was surprised to find that she played hard rock music, very loudly. Jazz or classic music can be a good choice, but keep it in the background so people can speak comfortably.
   
   
10. Offer a brief speech or toast, to welcome your guests and let them know you appreciate their efforts. Employees will appreciate being thanked and recognized for their hard work.
    

Barbara Pachter is the author of "The Power of Positive Confrontation" ($13.95 paperback, Marlowe & Co.) and the co-author of the "Prentice Hall Complete Business Etiquette Handbook." She is a speaker, trainer and coach specializing in business communications, business etiquette, and assertiveness issues. Her client list features major corporations and organizations worldwide, including NASA, DaimlerChrysler, Pfizer, Ernst & Young and the University of Michigan.

For a review copy of "When the Little Things Count" or "The Power of Positive Confrontation," contact Blanca Olivery: 212-614-7982, or Email: publicity@avalonpub.com

Published in Networking Today, September 2003.