5 Tips to Networking Success at Holiday Parties
By Kim Mercier
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again and with it comes fantastic opportunities to network for yourself and for your business! This networking can result in company growth or be a path to a new career. Let’s face it there are two kinds of people when it comes to Holiday parties. Those that wish they didn’t have to attend and those that love to attend and network.
The following ideas can help maximize your networking potential.
Go into it with a positive attitude. Everyone gravitates to those that are jolly not bah humbug. Use your positivity to attract business or new opportunities.
Arrive with a goal: Introduce yourself to new people. At each event you attend this season make it a goal to meet two new people.
What to say: Talk less and listen more. Active listening skills win more fans than dominating the conversation. Lead with casual conversation topics instead of business talk. Let the conversation flow naturally.
What to do: Remember your business cards to hand out to new people. Are you looking for a new job or are you looking to gain new clients for your business? Both can be enhanced by networking and sharing your business card
Thank your host as you leave the event and don’t forget to follow up with the host by sending an email to thank them again.