Let me first define “schmooze” as I did in this updated article based on What Do I Say Next? For that, I went to the best, most authentic source, Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten. It’s not perjoratively defined as a “way to get ahead” as I’ve read on an online dictionary. Schmooze is “easy-going, connected conversation.”
What’s Your SQ? Take the Schmooze Quotient Quiz:
Find Out if You’re a World-Class Schmoozer (conversationalist)
These days, you need to network to survive in the workplace: learning about job opportunities, keeping up with developments among your competitors, hearing news that can beat the inter-office memo by weeks, and just generally planting yourself in the mainstream. To do so, you need to be able to connect and converse with colleagues, co-workers, contacts and “strangers”.
Find out how good you are at conversing (schmoozing)before great opportunities pass you by, before your great new idea gets left in the dust by your competition – or before people are gossiping about whatever happened to you!
Answer the following questions and score yourself:
1. At a company-sponsored event, you see your client standing alone. You:
a. stand with your colleagues and keep talking. You can’t work all the time.
b. just wave hello; after all, the client may prefer to be alone.
c. walk over to greet your client and begin a conversation.
2. Your customer invites you to attend a community event he’s sponsoring. You:
a. plan to attend and leave early, since you won’t be noticed in the crowd.
b. ask if it’s appropriate to bring a friend to keep you company.
c. decline politely, saying you’re previously engaged to avoid the event and drivel of small talk.
3. In a local restaurant, you see your supervisor dining with her husband. You:
a. take the opportunity to finish a conversation you began at work.
b. pass by the table to say hello and then move on.
c. suggest that you might all dine together.
4. As a very busy person with lots of time constraints, you:
a. always read a local and national newspaper.
b. often read a daily content curator.
c. never take time to read the paper. That’s why they invented television and twitter/facebook.
5. You often attend professional association meetings, where you enjoy:
a. working the room, being sure to greet old pals and meet new colleagues.
b. approaching a total stranger or two and getting to know them.
c. spending the evening with your favorite people.
6. You think a good conversationalist:
a. asks questions to get the other person to do all the talking.
b. chimes in with stories, thoughts, observations.
c. does both a and b.
7. Your company has a private box for the city’s pennant-winning baseball team. You have the opportunity to invite clients or prospective clients. You:
a. take a clue from your guests who just seem to be enjoying the game.
b. invite several people and take advantage of breaks in the action to do a little business.
c. admit that you’re not a sports fan and leave this to others.
8. You’ve got a few minutes between planes to talk with your customer. You:
a. let the conversation turn to personal matters the client seems concerned about.
b. interrupt to share your own personal experiences.
c. steer the conversation to the questions you need answered.
9. You notice that the CEO is wearing a “Looney Tunes” tie. You:
a. say hello and ignore the tie completely.
b. compliment him on the tie and then list your own favorite cartoon characters.
c. decide that you should probably start wearing “fun” ties, too.
10. You really think cocktail parties and social events are:
a. a necessary evil.
b. a waste of time.
c. an opportunity
SCORE YOURSELF:
Here are the answers: 5 points for every correct answer.
1.(c) 6.(c)
2.(b) 7.(a)
3.(b) 8.(a)
4.(a) 9.(b)
5.(b) 10.(c)
45-50 points: WORLD-CLASS SCHMOOZER! You know how to make the most of a situation.
36-44 points: SCHMOOZER: You do seize most opportunities, but can be better.
25-35 points: SEMI-SCHMOOZER: Opportunities are passing you by. Wake up and seize the moment!
24 or fewer points: Have I got some books for you! Learn about How to Work a Room, The Secrets of Savvy Networking and her latest, What Do I Say Next?.
Susan RoAne www.susanroane.com susan@susanroane.com twitter: @susanroane
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About Susan RoAne
