By studying this unit, you are expected to:

● learn some tips on entertaining clients;

● understand the meeting minutes on corporate hospitality

     arrangements;

● know how to make arrangements for receiving clients;

本小节学时：1

Learning objectives:  

After completing this lesson, students should be able to：

Catch the main idea of the following article about Entertainging

Comprehend  basic vocabulary related to entertaining

Take notes of new words and important language points.

                                   Entertaining Clients Requires Work

Corporate hospitality is typically defined as any event that benefits an organization by entertaining clients or prospective clients at the organization’s expense. You either love it or hate it. But whichever side of the fence you are on, it is commonly agreed that this is a vital part of successful business.

To entertain your targets successfully, you will need to plan carefully and in detail. First, you need to find out what your clients enjoy. Do they enjoy sports, like golf or tennis? Or, are there any restaurants they are especially fond of ? Finding this information is relatively easy if you listen to your clients. As we all know, a simple comment made during a routine meeting or a phone call could give you an insight into their hobbies and interests. Make a note of it—they will be very impressed when you entertain them in a way that is tailored to them.

Entertaining a group of clients can prove tricky, as not everyone will be interested in the same things. The best course of action in this situation is to opt for a program of events. For example, an evening at the theater followed by dinner. That way you are more likely to find elements that will appeal to all.

If you are not sure of your clients’ interests, cultural events provide a nice touch. For example, inviting clients to a Peking Opera would be appropriate in Beijing, especially for clients on their first visit to China. Taking your clients on a city trip to visit local scenic spots and places of interest is another nice choice.

Just identifying interesting events or places to visit does not alone ensure successful corporate hospitality. As a companion, your interaction with the clients also counts for much. Unless you are a naturally outgoing and talkative person, making interesting conversation with a relative stranger for an extended period of time can be difficult. Here are some tips to consider:

● Find your clients’ likes and dislikes. Don’t be afraid  to ask questions. Perhaps you have  something in  common.

● Study up on a couple of “nice” jokes to start your conversation.

● Shut off or silence your cell phone. Make sure your  full attention is on creating an entertaining  time for your clients.

● Though you’ll be in a more relaxed setting,  maintain a sense of decorum. You are a reflection of your company.

corporate hospitality: It is a fabulous way to win favor with clients. It helps to build strong relationships with new and potential clients as well as nurtures and cultivates a long and healthy relationship with existing clients. It’s the Law of Reciprocity: You give someone something and they feel need to reciprocate. The best way to do this is to use some sort of participatory event where enjoyment is the key. Seeds of business dealings and contracts are sown in the relaxed and enjoyable surroundings. A corporate hospitality event is the perfect occasion to launch a new product. However, it is not all about winning new businesses. Perhaps you’ll want to take it as an opportunity to give thanks to long-time customers for their loyalty and support.