Biscuits 'key' to clinching business deals

by michelle.sundvick | June 2, 2008 at 09:34 am

2735 views | 2 Recommendations | 48 comments

Can a firm's cookie selection really make or break a business transaction?

About four out of five UK businesses believe the type of biscuit they serve to potential clients could clinch the deal or make it crumble, a survey says.
The outcome of a meeting could be influenced by the range and quality of biscuits on offer, Holiday Inn said.
Of the 1,000 business professionals quizzed, the chocolate digestive was deemed to make the best impression followed by shortbread and Hob Nobs.
Lawyers were most impressed by good boardroom biccies, the survey said.

Here's some biscuit ettiquette for you:

Jammie Dodgers and Bourbons were among the biscuit types thought to help sweet-talk customers.
However crumbly biscuits are a big no-no in the meeting environment, the questionnaire found, with 30% frowning on a regular digestive in the work environment.
And when it comes to helping yourself to biscuits from a communal plate, the most acceptable number to take is two, the research concluded.
However more than half of respondents looked down on dunking biscuits in tea or coffee during a meeting.
A survey released last year, which quizzed 7,000 people, suggested that the custard cream is the nation's favourite biscuit.

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Ginger DJ

at 12:12 on June 2nd, 2008

Hob Nobs with cream were a big disappointment. Look at the cream to biscuit ratio - very poor.

Ginger DJ has contributed a photo to this story.

Andrew Diroll

at 13:48 on June 2nd, 2008

Chocolate chip cookies of my own manufacture, large and perfectly baked. The secret recipe is ancho chili powder.

Andrew Diroll has contributed a photo to this story.

Atlas515

at 14:11 on June 2nd, 2008

I had no idea cookies could have so much power.

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arlo forbes

at 15:24 on June 2nd, 2008

Hob Nobs for sale. Photographed at an English tea room & grocery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.

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AsstroGirl

at 16:03 on June 2nd, 2008

Nearly all of my cookies posted here are test recipe for an upcoming vegan cookie book. More info here: http://vegancookies.wordpress.com/

They're all delicious without dunking, so no need to worry about etiquette!
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mapper65

at 15:54 on June 2nd, 2008

Nancy B's Bakery in West Homestead, PA is the ultimate in corporate cookie giving. Their website is www.nancybsbakery.com My company has given between 50 and 100 dozen of these to our customers. In almost every case we have received a call asking where we got them from. You can see a local news story about Nancy B's Bakery at mms://wqed.wmod.llnwd.net/a1484/o15/onq/nancy_b_bakery_256k.wmv

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helenthedestroyer

at 16:38 on June 2nd, 2008

This picture had nothing to do with the headlines it's been attached to; but it was the event of the distribution of the last hobnob biscuit when on a camel safari in Rajisthan in North West India. Yes, I got the last hobnob... ;)

helenthedestroyer has contributed a photo to this story.

ScotiaMade

at 16:42 on June 2nd, 2008

the Bacon Chocolate Chip cookie.

It simply oozes wheeling-dealing business deals. Serve these up at your next meeting and watch the appreciative looks from your CEO.

ScotiaMade has contributed a photo to this story.

mädaprimavesi

at 17:14 on June 2nd, 2008

ants love to eat cookies, on account of they are sweet and starchy.

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scott1216

at 17:52 on June 2nd, 2008

It puts a new point of view on the cookie, there actually really detailed. there not just a piece of dough.

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dmr217

at 17:58 on June 2nd, 2008

These were gifts for teachers at my daughter's school at Christmas time. Cookies are great to give to businesses. They are much better that just giving cards, pamphlets, etc. Why not give a tray of cookies with business card attached. Be sure to stick with something popular like sugar cookies or chocolate chip. Avoid nuts due to allergies. Sugar cookies made to look like business cards are a huge hit

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wizardofozgurl

at 19:29 on June 2nd, 2008

I truly think that cookies, especially homemade, are very appropriate to serve at a business function. It is a conversation-starter, a break-the-ice opener, for individuals who do not know one another. No dunking please, with my cookies, but please enjoy a nice cup of coffee with them.....

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sarahdesignedit

at 19:36 on June 2nd, 2008

Cookies are amazing and heart warming! If done correctly with a little extra love and care... they can really be a wonderful gift.

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IrishNYC

at 19:51 on June 2nd, 2008

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mintas.fotos

at 20:28 on June 2nd, 2008

cookies or biscuits have that special way of getting to the core of someones heart....they calm people, trigger happy childhood memories & generally make them agreeable......always good when negotiating things in life.....can i get you a glass a milk ?

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mr pecker decker

at 21:42 on June 2nd, 2008

The Biscuit photo was lit with two flash monoblocks . Best wishes
http://www.highlightsandshadows.com

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Veronika

at 21:57 on June 2nd, 2008

As an avid baker, I've actually had my employers request that I make cookies for certain clients when they visit. I think a homemade cookie really shows that you put some thought into impressing someone.

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Photos by Jus

at 22:11 on June 2nd, 2008

Photos by Jus has contributed a photo to this story.

KayVee.INC

at 23:20 on June 2nd, 2008

Cookies. They are tasty, and powerful! ^_~

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abigailx3jb

at 23:31 on June 2nd, 2008

Reba

at 23:53 on June 2nd, 2008

home-baked ginger biscuits and Earl Grey, a perfect combination.

poshyarns has contributed a photo to this story.

Captain Kirt

at 00:20 on June 3rd, 2008

This was a triple decker bourbon I found in a regular packet. The favourite biscuit in our office is the Hobnob.

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Joanne Murphy

at 00:35 on June 3rd, 2008

This was for an afternoon tea I hosted. The macaroons proved especially popular.

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ian boyd

at 01:44 on June 3rd, 2008

Biscuits often contain secret messages that even their manufacturers don't know about.

ian boyd has contributed a photo to this story.

JoannaClay

at 02:30 on June 3rd, 2008

I'm glad my photo got some use. It was taken in Cacassonne, France at a Patasserie.

Check out my flickr for more pictures and contact me via gmail to buy.

my flickr account

JoannaClay has contributed a photo to this story.

the red rocket

at 02:17 on June 3rd, 2008

peanut butter inside two chocolate digestives - heaven, but not ideal for a business meeting :-p

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