The business lunch question

It’s been a common question at Friday drinks around the world for years: if you could have a business lunch with one person, who would it be?

Now, a kiwi entrepreneur is taking the dream and making it a reality.

LetsLunch is a networking site that arranges lunch dates between ambitious businessmen and women.

It was launched in America earlier this year, and now Chirag Ahuja, CEO of emarketing consultancy firm Let’s Get Social, is bringing it to New Zealand.

"How it came about is, I came up with a similar idea, started looking around to see what was happening and found these guys,” Ahuja says.

"We started collaborating a bit on Twitter, we had a Skype chat, I added a bit of value to their operation and they said, why don’t you look at launching in Australasia?”

The US site works by matching members based on information garnered from sources such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

Members also provide feedback following each lunch, which contributes to a reputation score.

As the member’s score increases, so does the score of those they are matched with, leading to the ultimate goal of lunch with a site VIP.

Ahuja is currently sending out invitations for people to sign up to the Auckland site, as well as approaching potential VIPs. From there he plans to tinker with the site based on cultural feedback.

"Right now we’re really focusing on the quality of the people, making sure people can provide value to the others on the site.

"And of course it’s also about having a fun time. If people are not helpful or outgoing, it’s going to be hard.”

Although it seems more suited to entrepreneurs, Ahuja says he personally sees LetsLunch as being particularly attractive to corporate employees.

"Entrepreneurs will go out and meet people anyways. That’s what they do.  This is for the corporate people who work nine to five, and who don’t get time to meet new people.

"That’s where the real value is.”

If the Auckland site is successful, Ahuja says he will look at launching in Wellington, or possibly in Australia.

Tell us who your business lunch companion would be in the comments below, or go here to register your interest in LetsLunch. You can also follow them on Twitter at @letslunchnz.

Image source here.