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Here are 10 Action Ideas to help you jumpstart your business in 2012
You received an invitation to a holiday party, hosted by a prospective client. It is that time of the year, time to eat drink and be merry. Wrong! This is the time to party with a purpose, you can take advantage of the opportunity to raise your level of influence and brand recognition. Or you can let it all hang out and hinder or even stop your business from moving forward. The holiday season is a excellent time for networking, however you do not want to go blindly to every party you are invited to, to get the most out of holiday networking develop a strategy. Committing a major faux pas at your office’s holiday party can be a big blow to your career. Follow these basic rules and you are sure to make a favorable impression with friends, colleagues, and potential clients.
- Do your homework: Is there someone you want to make a connection with? If it is a trade association or professional group, ask the organizer to forward you the guest list. Look up the board of directors before the event. Those are the people you want to meet; because they are the influencers. Spend some time with the host, they know key guests and can introduce you.
- Be ready to answer the question about what you do with a response that focuses on the benefits to your clients, the problems they face and the results you create, NOT on activities or on what you ‘do.’ Don’t start your response by using labels like ‘coach or ‘author’ – usually labels make people stop listening and rely on their pre-conceived notions about what that label means.
- Arrive on time, again arrive on time, again arrive on time. Arriving on time is a power networking strategy. When you are on time there are fewer people and that makes it easier to connect with the hosts and the key people. If you are shy, it is much easier to manage a room of 20 people than 200.
- Do conduct your professionally at all times. This is not the time to pull out the club attire, nor is this the time to drop it like it is hot. If the attire is not stated on the invitation, conservative party clothes are a smart choice. Remember you represent your company.
- Do not head straight to the buffet table. I always eat before going to an event, that way I am not hungry and my mind is not on the food. One way to destroy your image is food in your teeth or greasy fingers from eating chicken wings. Picture this, the decision maker of a company heads your way, they extend their hand to introduce themselves, your hands are greasy and sticky. Go easy on the food, remember this is not dinner.
- Plan to drink moderately, if at all. I have seen personalities manifest at parties, especially after a person has had a few too many. You don’t want to do or say something that you will regret the next day, we live in a small world. Just imagine somebody with a camera phone, some offices, restaurants have security cameras. You never know who is watching.
- Talking too much, don’t be rude and monopolize a persons time. Allow yourself and others the opportunity to mingle. Spend a few minutes with a person; remember your goal is to make a connection.
You can say; “It was a pleasure talking with you Mr. Smith, I am going to give you time to talk to other people.” - Read the invitation, RSVP in its simplest form means to respond. Food and refreshment are planed according to the number of people expected. So please RSVP. Some organizations allow for additional guest, some do not, again read the invitation, does it say Mrs. Aquil and Guest, or Mrs. Aquil.
- Have your card in the event someone does ask how to contact you. However, this is not the time to do a business card blast.
- Respond to all invitations. This is a busy time of year, and you may not be able to honor all of the invitation you receive, but be polite and consider it an honor that someone thought enough of you to request the pleasure of your company. A simple phone call expressing your regrets will keep you in good graces.
- Don’t assume everyone celebrates the same holiday, so don’t go overboard with the “Merry Christmas.” Many people have different belief; you do not want to alienate a vital contact. “Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings” is the appropriate greeting during this time of year because it incorporates ALL religious and cultural holidays.
- Thank the host, they went to a lot of time and effort, not only is saying thank you the courteous thing to do, it makes you stand out from the many that do not.
- Follow up. Most networking efforts fail in the follow up. Intentions aren’t enough. Action is the key. Networking is about creating relationships, and real relationships can’t be formed in a few minutes in a room full of people. For networking to be effective, you need to follow up with those you meet at a networking event
Grace and Charm Insight: Keep your beverage in your left hand, so your right is not cold and wet when you introduce yourself.
I know I said ten, I like adding providing high value and high content. I would rather under promise and over deliver, than over promise and not deliver.
Increased revenue for 2012, now that is something to celebrate!
Hi There,
My name is Sally and I am writing because as a former HR executive, organizing team bonding and team building events were both the best times of my career and some of the most nerve wracking too. They can vastly improve team performance in the long term, but there are many things which can go wrong too.
As the Content Manager for a small law site, I felt it important we cover this topic. By producing an in depth guide to safely organizing team building events, we have covered the common causes of accidents, how to prepare for different activities and environments, and best practices for HR executives. I know you are busy, but you can check out the article here: https://elawtalk.com/avoiding-injuries-team-building/.
Recently, I came across sylviabrowder.com and having read http://sylviabrowder.com/workplace-health-safety-tips-for-small-business-owners/ I feel this is a subject you would like to cover. I am therefore more than happy to write a brief introduction or summary for you to put on your website.
Please let me know what you think!
Best Regards,
Sally
Hi Sally,
Thanks so much for your message. Those are great topics. I would welcome your contribution. For more information, here goes link: http://sylviabrowder.com/write-for-us.html