Catering is a competitive business, but it is also a very lucrative way to make a living if you know how to properly market your offerings. In an Inc.com article, culinary consultant and catering expert, Denise Vivaldo, notes that catering businesses need to "set themselves apart" from the competition to be successful. One way to set a business apart from the rest is to specialize in corporate catering.
Asking the Right Questions
An essential characteristic of a successful corporate caterer is versatility. Before agreeing to take on an event, the experts at Miraglia Catering suggest finding out the purpose and the format of the function to give the proper service.
Is it a motivational event where comfort and finger foods would be appropriate, or is it a formal meeting where a sit-down dinner is required? Will you be serving food during the break of a meeting, or will you be asked to provide full food service for a corporate fundraiser? Understanding the event will help to offer customers options that can make a business very popular.
Corporate Customers Want Options
BizBash.com writer Jenny Berg suggests creating cost-effective options for corporate customers that would appeal to all budgets. For example, a small corporate meeting may not require the expensive services of servers and staff. Offer corporate clients the opportunity to have a catered event but forego staffing cost by serving themselves.
Berg also suggests that you can save money by using the right kind of accessories for corporate events. For example, utilizing a standard drinking glass instead of trying to provide a special glass for each kind of drink saves you and your customers money.
Get the Very Best Equipment and Supplies
To gain a reputation for being an excellent corporate caterer, make each event memorable. Utilize individual serving stations and the very best flatware to make a great impression on each client at each event. When a client sees you trying to save them money, yet you still supply the very best in materials and equipment, then that helps to strengthen your reputation.
There are a number of funding options to invest in the event materials you need and the proper marketing materials to help get your message out to your corporate clients and grow your catering business. A good website and a strong logo will enhance your corporate marketing efforts and make it easier for you to impress the kinds of corporate clients that will allow your catering business to grow.
Making the move to specialize in corporate catering can help you focus your marketing efforts and grow your business. You need to work hard to keep costs down, while still offering your corporate clients the very best possible service.
Grow your catering business and upgrade your equipment, develop the proper marketing materials and hire the right staff to meet the needs of your demanding corporate clients.
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