Susan RoAne's Recession Proof HOLIDAY DOs and DON'Ts

DO...

• Organize a POTLUCK party for your company or division if the company has cancelled theirs.
• Focus Your Conversation on the Event: The season is the reason.
  So, bring your O.A.R. and start small with the items you have in common.

  Observe -- The venue, food or entertainment

  "What wonderful ambience! And, the food is fabulous."

  Ask -- The host or a guest

  "Do you have any special holiday travel plans?"

  Reveal -- Your ideas, thoughts, plans

  "My plans to be on the slopes for the holidays didn't pan out."OR "For obvious reasons we've decided to stick closer to home for a more low-keyed holiday." Add some humor: "We're calling it a stay-cation."

• Act Like A Host: Be interested; pay attention; listen and introduce people to each other..
• Treat Spouses/Guests (yours and theirs) With Respect: Introduce them with enthusiasm and include them with eye contact, comments and questions..
• Remember That Holiday/Christmas Parties Are Still Business: Dress and act appropriately.
• BONUS Tip for The Downsized Gathering: Bring your favorite and best dish, your good will and your sense of humor.

DON'T...

• Don't Drink Excessively. Free drinks have a cost.
• Don't Assume Everyone Celebrates Christmas. (And if you don't, be gracious about the error.)
• Don't Touch Inappropriately: keep hands (and lips) to yourself; "hand"le with care and caution.
• Don't forget to detach from the techie toys (cell phones, PDAs, Bluetooths and IPods) and refrain from text messaging, emailing and IMing others when talking to people.
• Don't Kvetch, Whine, Ridicule, Compete, Correct, Interrogate or Brag.

 

 

Based on Susan's books Face To Face: How To Reclaim The Personal Touch in a Digital World, Fireside Press, and How To Work A Room, Harper Collins.