Holiday,Networking,Santa-Style business, insurance Holiday Networking, Santa-Style
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It's that special time of year again. Odds are that very soonyou'll be mingling with people you barely know (or know all-too-well) at some sort of holiday get-together. Whether you'reattending out of courtesy, tradition, or business desperation(it's been a tough year for many) doesn't matter. What DOESmatter is that you understand how holiday networking differsfrom the networking you'll be doing in January.Holiday networking is less aggressive, slower-paced and moresubtle. Think "market research" instead of "close the deal" andyou'll have the right mindset. Yes, making connections thatlead to sales is still a primary reason for attending socialfunctions, but around the holidays it's less obvious. Thesocial "dance" is longer.So when preparing for your holiday party "performance,"practice the role of Santa instead of Scrooge, and you'll dojust fine.How would Santa act at that lavish bash in your office buildingnext week?First, remember that Santa is friendly and approachable toEVERYONE. He's not a snob or someone who's solely focused oninfluential, powerful people. You'd do well to adopt thatattitude yourself. You'll enjoy yourself more, feel lessstressed, and who knows? You may meet someone with unexpectedinfluence or connections.If you're one of the many people who'd rather have teeth pulledthan talk to strangers, rehearse a few "safe" opening lines. "So how do you know (the host/hostess)?" or "Don't I know youfrom somewhere?" are non-threatening ways to begin aconversation, with the added benefit of allowing you to look forconnections. And "How has your day been?" is much more likelyto initiate small-talk than the usual "How are you?" ("Fine,thanks.") exchange.Second, Santa is a great listener who's really focused on otherpeople's wants and needs and not his own. He invitesconfidences and listens more than he speaks. Can you imagineSanta thrusting his business card on someone he's barely met? (I DO have one of his cards, by the way. See it here.)So ask a lot of "who, what, where, when and why" questions. Try to spend the first five minutes of any conversation talkingabout the other person. You already know about yourself; youwant to gather information and make friends with others. Besides, it's very flattering. Someone who's interested inothers is invariably seen as someone worth knowing. (So tuck afew business cards in your pocket beforehand!) Finally, Santa is welcome and appreciated at any gatheringbecause he brings gifts. No, you don't need to carry in a largered bag filled with personalized company pens or magnets. Butbefore the party, think about who you're likely to meet and whatyou can offer them. Have you read a great book? Do you know what's being builtacross the street? Did you discover a helpful new product orservice? Then don't be a Scrooge! Spread the news. Offer theinformation. Better yet, do you have a personal connection to someone partyattendees would like to meet? Then be prepared to offer theirname and/or business card. And when talk does turn to business, keep it light and keep itbrief. If you have helpful ideas to pass on, or discover aconnection you'd like to strengthen, ask for a business card andpermission to call at work. Then steer the conversation back tomore fun, personal topics. (Just remember to follow upafterwards!)With preparation, you can enjoy meeting new people andreconnecting with old colleagues in mutually profitable ways. And you might just become as popular as Ol' Saint Nick. Article Tags: Holiday Networking, Business Card
Holiday,Networking,Santa-Style