"Corporate Event Success - Six Basic Rules

Get Your Bearings – This may sound silly, but in the banquet area you need to find the drinks, food, bathroom, coat check, podium, and table seating.  A quick survey should suffice for this.  Leave your purse locked in the car and only have your credit card, cash, car keys, and business cards in your suit pocket.  It will be much easier for you to shake hands and hold your food without a purse falling off your shoulder.  If you really must have a little purse (due to the outfit lacking pockets) consider a credit card sized black leather (or satin) purse that is worn at the elbow – it will not be very noticeable and should not interfere while mingling.

Smile, Smile, Smile – Remember, I dislike most of these events.  It is very hard for me to look festive in a room full of people that I don’t know.  But I’m a CEO, and part of that job is networking and finding new leads for my company.  I’m also asked to give speeches to organizations.  One way I keep from looking angry (my “not smiling” facial expression) is to pick a “cue” that is my mental signal to look happier.  For example, at a Christmas party I might say to myself that every time I see the color red I’ll smile.  People will want to talk with you if you look mildly happy and interesting, so some times you have to work at that perception. 

Speak Clearly and Give Your Name and Company Name – You would be surprised how many businesswomen do not speak clearly or loudly enough in noisy party situations.  We don’t have the strong low pitch of men’s voices, so ours often get lost in the din.  Make eye contact, lean in (if necessary for noise cover) and state your name and company name.  Watch the other person’s reactions.  Did they understand you?  Say it again if you have to.  The point here is to make sure they know who you are.  Ditto for you understanding who they are and what they do.  I have to say a new name to myself about five times right after hearing it or I’ll forget it instantly.  Walking away saying to yourself “who was that anyway?” is not productive.

Eat a Little Bit and Drink Less – I love shrimp.  Thankfully, it is not a bad party food.  If it gets stuck in your teeth it is not very noticeable and the tails don’t get your hands messy.  You could smell a little fishy or spicy (avoid the cocktail sauce) but that is not as bad as some of the other items on the menu.  Keep in mind that you are really here to network and not to eat your dinner.  Drinks.  Depending on the party, non-alcoholic is often the best way to go.  If a drink is what it will take to make the evening enjoyable, then pick something that you can carry with you for most of the evening.

No Sales Pitches – Networking really needs to be about meeting people and getting to know them.  If you really listen to them and ask good questions, you’ll be practicing good sales skills that will come in handy at a different time.  Pass out your business cards when there seems to be a good rapport and chance for future business.  If you are speaking with a senior executive from a major corporation, the rule is to wait for them to ask for a card.  If they don’t ask, be sure to write down their name and company and research their contact information later.

Move Around the Room – “Mingling” is considered an art, and I think I know why.  Mastering the rhythms of a conversation with a stranger takes skill.   My objective is usually to sound positive and invite the other party to tell me about something (anything) to get them talking.  “What did you think of…”  “What do you like about the [organization]?”  “I’m new here, could you introduce me to …”  That last one is the hardest for me to say, but usually gets the best results.  Either the other person says “I’m new too!” and you get a laugh and decent bonding between the two “new” people, or they will introduce you to at least one person and you can move from there.  Plan on spending 5 – 10 minutes per conversation before moving on.  If you excuse yourself from a conversation with the line that you have to go to the bathroom – actually go there.