We’ve all seen it happen. A marketing representative or sales executive takes a client to lunch and they both enjoy a cocktail. Then one of them enjoys another drink or two. Soon the conversation loses focus, the jokes get a little more off-color, and the relationship that was supposed to be strictly professional gets compromised.

We’ve all seen it happen. A marketing representative or sales executive takes a client to lunch and they both enjoy a cocktail. Then one of them enjoys another drink or two. Soon the conversation loses focus, the jokes get a little more off-color, and the relationship that was supposed to be strictly professional gets compromised. Or perhaps you’ve been at a convention or trade show where everybody is enjoying a reception with alcohol courtesy of one of the favored suppliers. There are always a few people who take the offer of free drinks as a reason to indulge at someone else’s expense. Conversations get loud and bravado kicks in. When the effects of too many drinks start to surface, bystanders wonder why anybody would do business with these people.