power lunch
Dealmaking over sandwiches
A power lunch is a midday meal where business dealings or networking take precedence over the food.
The term emerged in the 1980s to describe executives meeting at upscale restaurants to negotiate deals, cultivate relationships, or display status: They closed the merger over a power lunch at the Four Seasons.
The emphasis is on influence and productivity rather than cuisine.
Senior organizational leader
- CEOTop corporate officer
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
industry · enterprise · client · stakeholder · investor · partner · colleague · competitor
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- handshakeMutual palm-gripping gesture
- mergerCorporate combination
acquisition · proposal · terms · partnership · closing · pitch · leverage · transaction
Limited to one group
- prestigiousHaving high standing
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- high-profileAttracting significant attention
- VIPNotable, for short
elite · mogul · tycoon · well-connected · ambitious · corner office · expense account
Place serving meals
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- steakhouseBeef-focused dining establishment
- bistroInformal small restaurant
- entreePrimary dinner course
waiter · sommelier · chef · menu · table · midday · cuisine · gourmet
People you know professionally
- connectionsRelationships between things
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
- introductionsInitial formal presentations
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
mingling · business cards · socializing · referrals · name-dropping · cultivating · favor · access
executive
Senior organizational leader
- CEOTop corporate officer
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- leadershipAbility to direct others
management · industry · enterprise · client · stakeholder · investor · partner · colleague · competitor · headhunter
negotiation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- handshakeMutual palm-gripping gesture
merger · acquisition · proposal · terms · partnership · closing · pitch · leverage · transaction · brokerage
exclusive
Limited to one group
- prestigiousHaving high standing
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- high-profileAttracting significant attention
VIP · elite · mogul · tycoon · well-connected · ambitious · corner office · expense account
restaurant
Place serving meals
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- steakhouseBeef-focused dining establishment
- bistroInformal small restaurant
entree · waiter · sommelier · chef · menu · table · midday · cuisine · gourmet · upscale
contacts
People you know professionally
- connectionsRelationships between things
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
- introductionsInitial formal presentations
rapport · mingling · business cards · socializing · referrals · name-dropping · cultivating · favor · access · influence
- lunchlunchroom, lunchbox, midday meal, quick bite, brown bag
- business lunchreservation, expense account, restaurant, negotiation, deal
- business mealsdinner meeting, breakfast meeting, client dinner, team dinner
- DC Foodjumbo slice
- business districtfinancial district, CBD, office building, office tower, skyscraper
- Corporate Americacorporate ladder, cubicle, cubicles, corner office, office politics
power lunchquick bite
Hasty small meal
lunch break · desk lunch · working lunch · eating alone · TV dinner
power, lunch, powerful, empower, powers, powerfully, horsepower, empowered, superpower