Party With A Purpose: How to Get the Most Out of Holiday Parties
‘Tis the season to be jolly, to give, and to receive invitations to personal and business Christmas parties! Make sure to RSVP to as many of them as possible. Not only are they opportunities to eat, drink, and be merry, they’re also opportunities to make sure you’re poised for a successful New Year!
Party Do’s
First and foremost, when you RSVP that you will attend a party, show up! Doing otherwise, without a good excuse that you’ve shared with the host or hostess in advance, is simply rude. You don’t want to be put on anyone’s naughty list!
Once you’ve arrived (preferably with a thoughtful host or hostess gift), mix and mingle! Your initial inclination may be to gravitate toward other attendees you already know and are comfortable with. That’s natural, but it’s a huge missed opportunity. Christmas parties are great places to network, make new connections, and possibly even get business leads and referrals. People prefer to do business with those they know, so the more people you can meet in an environment where you have mutual friends or acquaintances, the better. Plan to meet as many new people as you can, but also to spend time getting to know your existing colleagues and coworkers better. Always take advantage of any opportunity to deepen your relationships in a relaxed, fun setting!
Party Don’ts
The quickest way to undermine your New Year is to drink too much at a holiday party full of clients and coworkers and say or do things you may regret later. By all means indulge – but don’t overdo it. Keep the work talk to a minimum (you’re at a party after all) and by all means, skip the politics!
