A business function takes us away from the office environment and it can be easy to forget that we are at work, away from the formalities of the workplace. We need to be aware of the way that we act when we are in a more relaxed ambience. The focus of attention is professional communication.

If your office has invited you to a function, never think of it as an excuse to let your hair down and enjoy being paid for a day off work. This is time to build up some excellent contacts and learn new tricks of the trade whilst mingling with fellow business people.

If you have been invited to a business breakfast, expect it to be centred on urgent topics which need addressing. Avoid too much small talk as everyone will have a full day ahead of them with rigorous demands and schedules that require attention so keep within the agenda and allocated timing. Aim for the whole meeting to last no longer than an hour, to help keep everyone's minds focussed on the agenda.

A power lunch is a good way to meet new clients or entertain those who could be a great asset to your company. You will need to set aside up to two hours to account for ordering and dining. Once again, keep small talk to a minimum as the aim of the meeting is to achieve a positive result for your company. The most effective way to blend small talk with business is to use light conversation on initial contact and lead onto business talk after the appetisers have been served.

If you need to meet up with a business associate after work, try to avoid bars which can be noisy, distracting and encourage drinking. Business and booze is not a great combination, so head for a quiet café, where you can discuss those pressing issues over coffee and quickly head off home.

Business dinners are not always the best way to bring out the best in people. Considering the fact that we spend enough of our working life in the office, the last thing we want to do is have to meet up again with our colleagues in our personal time. If you have to gather everyone together after work, ensure that you are economical with their time. Small talk is great whilst everyone is ordering but whilst you are waiting for the meals to arrive, you should explain your reason for the meeting.

If you have been asked to a business dinner, think ahead when ordering, this is still a fairly formal ambience and not an evening out with friends. These are people that you may have to work with everyday or want to impress so choose your dishes wisely and keep in line with what everyone else is ordering. If guests are opting for something light, do the same and keep within the general price bracket. If people decline an appetiser, do the same or you will be the only eating and add to the time that the meeting will last. When your meal arrives, wait for everyone to be served before you tuck in. Never complain about the service, the restaurant itself or the food.

When it comes to settling the bill, there are various rules of etiquette. The party who extended the invitation should pay, and make this arrangement clear at the time of the invitation. If the business dinner was arranged for work colleagues, the most senior executive should take responsibility for the bill.

Industry events are a great way to build up new contacts but they have to be approached professionally and subtly. Mingle as much as possible and make a point of spending at least five minutes with as many people as you can. Take an equal amount of interest in their business as well as promoting your own. If you build up a great rapport, don't let the attendee slip away without informing him/her that you would be interested in extending this discussion at another time.

And finally. The office party. How many of us can recall at least one embarrassing memory associated with the office party? If you have been invited to one, the key is to remember that this is an office party and not a night out with the gang. Keep your clothing moderate so as all those bits and pieces which should be covered remain that way. You want potential clients to take an interest in what you have to offer business wise rather than anything else. Once again, mingle as much as possible and keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Keep conversation light and avoid subjects connected to religion, politics and sexual content. Finally, leave when everyone else is saying their goodbyes, never stay until the end.

With these few simple rules of etiquette tucked under your belt, use out of office meetings as an opportunity to build up new business in a less formal environment. The aim is to make a positive impact on potential new clients, so ensure that they remember you for the way that you present yourself and not the fact that you belted out every single Beatles song that you knew at the office party!