February 28th, 2008
Boozing with the boss can help you close the deal.
It’s easy to imagine—having seen every Michael Douglas movie ever made—that there are some deals too big for the board room and some negotiations too important to happen over coffee and scones. For really hardcore deal-making you need the perfect power cocktail. What could be better than hashing things out over highballs in a dimly lit, wood paneled bar. So, it is in this vein that we have selected five power cocktails that should cover you no matter what’s on the table.
Of course, there are going to be cocktails missing from this list—your forgiveness for any conspicuous absences is much appreciated. Better yet, give us your top five and we promise to try them all—damn the next morning’s hangover.
First up, the vodka Gimlet, this is a powerful concoction of good vodka (substitute gin for a classic Gimlet), lime juice, and, depending on the barkeep, a pinch of sugar. Sip this from a chilled cocktail glass at happy hour while you lay out your best pitch to the boss.
It’s sure to supply you with instant gusto—and who doesn’t like gusto in their associates.
Next up, Scotch. Drink it straight up in the boss’s office. If that little bottle of amber goodness appears and you are invited to partake, do it. Instant bonds are formed over highballs and bonding with the Bigs is always a slick move.
For a more low key tête-à-tête, rub elbows after hours in a jazz bar with a tumbler of Remy Louis XIII Cognac ($125 per ounce), or there’s always Courvoisier ($7.75) for those of you who just come to play big shot—but, sadly, don’t have the credit to match.
The lilting notes of classic jazz and the clink of fine china will lend a casual feel to any board room talk. Once the deal is struck any self respecting jazz club is bound to offer cigars for a celebratory smoke. Cognac oozes back-room-deal appeal.
Then there’s the always classic, always in good taste Martini. Drink it extra dry and extra dirty—the metaphor for business is surely inescapable. This is best over lunch. And, order the steak, show them you’re not afraid to use that expense account you negotiated when you took the job.
Finally, beer. Foreign or domestic, it matters not. This one makes the list because it’s safe to imagine if you’re gulping down a cold one you’ve been invited to a week end sports event. Never, ever, turn down the bosses invite to join the party in the sky box. It’s exclusive, it’s casual, and it’s a sure sign that you’ve made ace status.
There they are—the power cocktails. Boozing with the boss, it’s a classic.