How to Work a Room: Susan RoAne's HOLIDAY DOs and DON'Ts

DO...

• RSVP and say YES when the invitation arrives.
• Organize a potluck party if the company has cancelled their party. People want the comradery.
• Focus Your Conversation on the Event: The season is the reason. If it's a company sponsored party you already have a subject for conversation.
  So, bring your O.A.R. and start the small talk with the items you have in common.

  Observe -- The venue, food or entertainment

  "What wonderful ambience! Pat and Joe do a great job planning this party and the food is fabulous."

  Ask -- Other guests seasonally topical questions

  "Do you have any special plans?" "Do you plan to travel for the holidays?"

  Reveal -- Your ideas, thoughts, plans

  "I plan to be on the slopes for the holidays." OR "For obvious reasons we've decided to stick closer to home rather than fight the crowds." Add something lighthearted: "I'm still trying to find a low calorie eggnog recipe."

• 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 Networking Events: Dress and act appropriately..

DON'T...

• Don't Drink Excessively: Free drinks have a cost.
• Don't serve or eat foods with excessive garlic or onions.
• 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; "handle" with care and caution.
• Don't forget to detach from the techie toys (Smart phones, Bluetooths and IPads) 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 the classic How To Work A Room, Harper Collins.

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©2012SusanRoAne Reprint only with the permission of author susan@susanroane.com