Quick Tip: Use One Lunchtime a Week to Network

Lunch can be a good alternatively to grabbing coffee if you want some time to have a proper conversation. After all, everyone needs lunch (even if the norm is eating at your desk). Scheduling lunch can be a good way to get to know your peers (particularly if you or they work flexibly) as well as your contacts.

Personally I try to target one networking lunch a week.

So how can you set up a networking lunch? Just follow these three easy steps:

01. Know what you want.

Before you contact someone to ask them to join you for lunch, make sure you know exactly what you’re trying to get out of your meeting with them. If you don’t know, think about what your goal is, then ask them to meet for lunch. If you are simply wanting to get to know them better. Say this.

02. Make it easy to say yes.

As with arranging any networking meeting. Make it as easy as possible for them to say yes. After all we are all busy.

Be clear about what you want make a suggestion of where and when. Provide a time, date, and location. Suggest two or three options that work for you.

If you are meeting an internal colleague for lunch and have access to their calendar check it before making a suggestion so that you can pick a time when they are likely to be free. If they say yes, send them a calendar invite immediately and include details in the appointment.

03. Keep the Appointment

Make sure that you keep the appointment. If you are going to be late – cancel or agree a rescheduled time. It is better to give that person their time back, even on short notice, than to waste it completely. However, you should be prioritising your day so that you shouldn’t be late – only cancel if you really have to.