Have a plan, stash the phone and join the party people!
The client Christmas party is the easiest networking event on the calendar but many are unsure how to act or use it to their advantage.
Negotiating your way through the end-of-year party season can be stressful without a strategy and the biggest mistake people make when networking is to vomit their greatness on someone.
If you try to dazzle a group of people with your brilliance, they will find it nauseating.
Even if you’re an avid networker throughout the year, make the client Christmas party the one you attend because it’s the easiest way to build on your relationships. And it’s the one time of the year when business-related conversation is at minimum.
Most people will either celebrate Christmas or be taking a summer break, so it’s easy, informal, small talk when guards are most likely down.
When we try to connect with others in business, we look for what we have in common to make for a pleasant conversation. The old adage applies: ‘If the conversation is boring, you’re not trying hard enough’.
Many people dread the annual client Christmas party because it creates an unnatural situation that obliges people to socialise or, worse, drink and dance with clients and colleagues they would prefer to see only in a professional context.
Attend the event with a plan. Be the person to make real connections and if you accept an invitation, have the decency to attend because people and businesses budget on the RSVPs they receive.
There’s an art to networking and many business parties in the lead up to Christmas will test people and how they mix with colleagues, thank their customers and clients, and build rapport with potential new ones.
Here are six tips to survive — and maximise — the Christmas party season.
1. Aim to connect
Networking is a waste of time without follow up and engagement. Genuine conversations make for real connections, the added bonus being a new prospect. It’s not about seeing how many people collect your business card. If you want to reconnect, ask them if you can connect via LinkedIn or dial their number in your phone to catch up after Christmas.
2. Be interested
Be interested in other people’s conversations, ask questions and listen. Direct relevant questions to the occasion such as: “How are you planning to spend Christmas day?” More generic lines of questioning could be, “What are your family planning to get up to over the summer break?” Also, don’t dominate the Christmas soiree and make yourself the hero with conversation about yourself. You want to be speaking less than 40% of the time.
3. Never dump another guest
Don’t dump someone boring by excusing yourself for the bathroom because the person you dumped will see you’ve darted to another group. Be kind and take the person with you to another group of people. People remember how you made them feel, especially at Christmas. And remember, we buy from people we like and trust.
4. So, what do you do?
This is a lifeless question that will probably elicit a lifeless response. Not everyone wants to talk about their job at a Christmas party. Craft your elevator pitch so people understand what you do and why you’re passionate about your job all within 20 seconds, and then move on.
5. Remember good manners and RSVP
No shows cost companies thousands. Budgets are tight, so if you don’t front to an industry Christmas party, you’ll most likely be remembered for the wrong reasons. Reach out to the host and let them know you’re looking forward to the party and hope to find them in the room. If you have to cancel, contact the host in person — who knows, it may lead to another conversation. Don’t RSVP ‘maybe’ — it suggests you’ll only show up if you don’t get a better offer.
6. Dress for the event
Dress to stand, women in flats and everyone in an outfit that can withstand spillage. Your outfit needs to be the reflection of your profession and personal brand or in the case of Christmas, something festive. It will make networking easier if you’re attracting and connecting with the right people. Pay attention to the invitation for an indication of the vibe. Leave your mobile in your bag and laptop at the door. It’s too hard shaking hands with a drink and work bag.
For Christmas party haters, remember how you behave and the connections you make at one of these events can help you start the year purposefully.
Julia Ewert is a sales strategist and professional negotiator.
