Happy Holidays
Ho! Ho! Ho! In the midst of the December rush we have so many things on our minds . . . places to go, people to see. Who has time to cultivate new business, meet new clients, and make new connections? After all, most people we know are either winding up projects at year-end, focusing on office parties, or figuring out how to get through the piles on their desks in record time so they can leave early to do some holiday shopping. I hear from clients and colleagues that they just can't make time for new connections this month!
Hellooo 2012. . .
But you know what that means: you wake up in January and have to pay. While frantically catching up on the work you let slide during the "festive season," you also need to go out and look for new opportunities, so you can really get ahead in the New Year. Talk about the "morning after". . . !
But it doesn't have to be this way: you can "party smart" if you resolve to use the social gatherings you attend over the next few weeks as networking opportunities. Go prepared with an idea of who might be there and what you can talk to them about. Have a good social networking speech ready (and I don't mean the Zuckerberg kind). When the inevitable "What is it you do, again?" question comes up, you should have one or two sentences that succinctly convey what it is you do, and what excites you about it. Write them out at home and practice them in front of your cat, in the shower, in the car on the way to the party. The goal is to sound natural, conversational, and not at all like you are giving a sales pitch or elevator speech. If you do a good job of this, your conversation partner (and it is imperative you think of him/her this way--not as listener or audience!) will ask some questions which you will answer. Then it will be your turn to find out about him/her.
Do more than get your foot in the door
This strategy allows you to actually get to know a person---someone who might be a potential client, partner, or other valuable connection. I liken this short speech-ette to entering through the door and standing in the vestibule/foyer/front hall. If all goes well, you can leave with an invitation to come in farther: for lunch, coffee, or a meeting in the office in January.
All networking is about making connections, and establishing relationships. What better way to start than at an event that is relaxed and full of holiday cheer? Just be sure to have plenty of business cards handy. A charming "It's been great talking to you, but I won't monopolize you tonight. Let's have coffee after the New Year" spoken as you offer your card just might be the most important meeting you have had all year. See--networking can be fun!
Tips you can use!
Listen to your larynx
Whether you cheer front of your TV as you watch a bowl game, or shout in the stands as the Caps play, you need to back off when your throat starts to hurt or your voice feels strained. What was "sexy" when you croaked your way through Monday classes in college is less acceptable now that you are paid for what you do every day.
Drink less, drink more
Have fewer alcoholic drinks and more water. Especially if you're giving a toast or making a speech. There's a fine line between relaxed and tipsy. And don't forget: alcohol of all kinds dries out your throat.
Stay healthy
Getting plenty of sleep and eating right may be hard to do this season. But when you get rundown, your voice often sounds worse than you feel. Maintain your energetic sound by staying healthy!
