SOMEONE once said “Where there is free food, alcohol and a bit of fun, you’ll find Aussies”. With Christmas jingling towards us and the new year hiding under the tree, there is plenty of opportunity for parties and fun. Whether you are looking for work, wanting to make new professional connections or simply wanting to share the Christmas spirit, there are some networking tips that can help you make the right impression.
Christmas functions are a great way to see out the work year. With alcohol flowing, canapés and mini pies, we are all out to have a good time. In a more relaxed and informal atmosphere, we can see each other in a different light. It’s an opportunity to say hi to someone we admire professionally, thank our teams and get to know our clients better. We can make connections we would never have otherwise made. To boost your networking efforts, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the sleigh ride.
Get your name out there: Pin your name badge on the right hand side of your body. When most people shake hands and or kiss someone hello, they tend to come forward with their right side. With your name tag on the right hand side, the other person can immediately identify who they are speaking with. Make sure that your badge does not hide under your lapel or scarf. Avoid putting your badge on your belt as it will be hard to see. Make sure your badge is visible so you are visible.
Use your left side: Keep handbags or satchels on your left shoulder and drinks in your left hand. This allows you to shake hands without the awkward changing of hands. Handshakes are an important communication tool. A good handshake can help you make the right impression. Handshakes can also help you communicate your respect for another person. Keep your right hand free so you can send and receive the right signals.
Keep it below 0.05: When there is free alcohol, it can be tempting to make the most of it. You know your tolerance level, so keep your alcohol consumption appropriate. Anytime you are representing yourself professionally, it is important that you stay alert enough to put your right foot forward and remember who you are speaking with. Imagine finding out you were speaking with someone that could have helped you professionally and not remembering who they were. An awesome opportunity could be lost.
Christmas functions are fun. They are also great networking opportunities where you can make new connections, thank and be thanked by those you have worked with all year. With these few tips, you can have fun and make the right moves.
Sepi Roshan is the Aussie Founder of Astute Radio - Getting the Conversation Started and smashing gender stereotypes (www.astute-radio.org; Twitter: @astute_radio; Facebook: Astute Radio). Sepi is also a Coach and Speaker. (www.astutecd.com; Twitter:@sepiroshan)