Have More Fun at Holiday Parties This Year

As a commercial real estate professional, you may be invited to holiday parties hosted by tenants, clients, suppliers, or professional groups, along with your own organization’s celebration of the season.  Applying a few “working a room” strategies can put you at ease, even if you don’t expect to do any serious networking. 

Consider Arriving Early
Arriving early is especially helpful if you don’t expect to know anyone at the party. You can greet people individually and strike up a conversation, or mingle in small groups before the majority of people arrive. Meeting people this way is far easier than facing a room packed with hundreds of strangers.

Shake Hands as if with an Old Friend
Have you ever wondered why some people have an especially warm or welcoming handshake? A simple strategy is to pretend that you are at your high school reunion and are greeting a good friend you haven’t seen in years. This thought will not only make you happy, but your warmth is likely to be sensed by the person you are meeting, even if it is for the first time.

Meet People at the Bar or the Buffet
If you find yourself in a room full of large groups, try meeting people individually or in pairs at the bar or the buffet. If you mention that you are a guest from another organization, people are very likely to take you back to their group and introduce you.

If you find yourself in an extremely hot and/or crowded room, try stepping into the hall where you are apt to find other like-minded people ready to strike up a conversation.

Memorize Some Interesting Facts to Share
At a normal networking event, you would have spent time studying the guest list for people you would like to speak to, practicing your introduction, setting goals for how many new people to meet, adjusting your name tag just right, and making sure you have your business card in your right pocket, leaving your left pocket empty to receive the business cards of the people you meet.

Holiday parties are meant to be more pleasure than business, so instead of working hard on a networking strategy, memorize some interesting facts you’ve come across recently to use as conversation starters. Feeling prepared yet relaxed can help you make new contacts.

Practice Listening
Regardless of the type of party you are attending, holiday gatherings are great opportunities to practice effective listening. Although people naturally like to talk about themselves, what they really want is to be understood. Holiday parties are an ideal time to kick back and practice listening skills in a relaxed atmosphere.

Also in This Issue

• The Challenges and Rewards of Managing a Pre-War Trophy Building in NYC
• Branding Is More Than a Logo
• Negotiation Strategies for Working with International Prospects
• Managed WiFi: Secure, Powerful Wireless Service throughout Your Organization