English: Old Trafford, given the nickname the Theatre of Dreams by Sir Bobby Charlton, is a football stadium in the Trafford borough of Greater Manchester, England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Talk to any business owner about what it’s like running a company in the current economic climate and the chances are they will tell you ‘it’s tough out there.’ Despite the glimmers of hope that things might be improving and that the downturn might be swaying slightly more in favour of an upturn, most companies are still finding that competition is fierce and clients have their pick of other suppliers to turn to if they’re not satisfied with the results.
What this means is that client management has become even more important than before and ensuring that the relationships stay positive and productive has become a top priority for many companies. In a nutshell – corporate hospitality has become big business.
If you have a number of big clients that you just can’t afford to lose, then it’s worth investing some time and money into finding a corporate hospitality programme that suits your business and your clients. Yes, it is about impressing them and making sure that they’re well looked after, but it’s also about finding somewhere relaxing, entertaining and comfortable where you can talk at ease about future plans and strike new deals outside of the boardroom. Though the serious business will more than likely be done at your own headquarters, it is important to have an alternative where the atmosphere is slightly more informal.
Though it may sound like a cliché, and of course it won’t be to every client’s taste, there is a lot to be said for considering an Executive Box at your local football ground. If you look at the packages offered for corporate hospitality at Manchester United it’s easy to see why. The sports bars and the suites themselves offer everything you could need for the perfect business meeting. There’s the advantage of having the best seats in the house to watch the game, not to mention excellent food and wine served by experienced and knowledgeable staff.
There’s no doubt that the prestige and history of a club like Manchester United lends the perfect atmosphere to an informal business meeting. It’s a winning club, home to some of the greatest footballers and managers in the English game with one of the most impressive grounds in the country. It would be impossible not to be impressed with a visit to Old Trafford, and at the end of the day, whether it’s in the boardroom or having a drink in the bar after the match, success in business is all about impressing the clients!
