Doing Business On The Golf Course

Getting out of the boardroom during business meetings may seem like a nice day out and a bit of fun. But playing a round of golf with a potential client or a business contact can reinforce a relatively new relationship and lead to a sale or partnership.

The most clear benefit of playing golf with someone you wish to have a working relationship with, is that you clearly have a shared interest in golf, which immediately gives you something non work related to talk about and marks you out to them as someone who they have things in common. This means they are automatically more accepting of your views, whether on the course or at later meetings.

Like anything that takes place outside of the office, being on the golf course means people relax and are less guarded, which means they are likely to talk more freely about sensitive subjects such as budget and business needs. Whereas in a sales meeting you may struggle to get answers to these questions, during a round of golf you may get answers without even asking the questions.

Another great bonus to striking deals out on the green is the fact that it is not just your companions who are more relaxed, but you as well. This means you will usually be seen in your best light and are able to see how well you would work with your companions.

The important thing to remember is that you aren’t necessarily there to get the deal done or contract signed. So make sure those you are playing with have fun, that you retain any info you need, but don’t worry if the deal isn’t done by the 18th hole.

So during your next pitch process, why not suggest a round of golf with those involved, and to get the most out of it have a clear objective beforehand, always play fair, and remember that it is a work event and not a Saturday afternoon game with your pals.

corporate golf membership can be a more cost effective way to enjoy golf for business. Mere Golf & Country Club offers this in addition to hiring out meeting rooms in Manchester for more traditional meetings.