subject: Five Top Tips for Business Socialising Success [print this page] Everyone can learn to be a successful socialiser. All it takes is a little planning, some preparation, a genuine smile, and a firm handshake. My articles Business Socialising Success and Five Business Socialising Insights will help you optimise every social situation so you can enjoy the vast business and personal benefits they can bring. There are more free resources at my website http://www.dianacarroll.com for you to enjoy. This article is based on my popular DVD The Responsible Guide Series: Business Socialising available at http://www.dianacarroll.com
1 Be There We're all very good at avoiding situations that make us anxious or embarrassed. But you will never meet a new client, enhance a business relationship, or impress a future boss sitting at home or staying at the office. Make socialising just another task in your busy day and focus on the enormous personal and professional benefits of being there. Don't make an excuse!
2 Be Prepared - Why are you going? Who do you want to talk to? What do you want to achieve? Set yourself some realistic socialising objectives so you can evaluate your socialising success. Remember to take your business cards, a clean handkerchief (useful for all sorts of socialising emergencies!), and a smart pen. Brush up your manners, polish your shoes, and turn off your mobile phone.
3 Practice - Create an engaging self-introduction and practice it at every oppotunity. Be open, be authentic, and be enthusiastic. Use your full name, add some information about your job and your company, and offer a warm smile and a firm handshake. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel saying "Hi" to new people.
4 Be Positive Negativity is never attractive; positivity is always engaging. Look like you want to be there; look like you're having fun. Be positive, be friendly, and make everyone feel special. Never dismiss someone as unimportant it's always bad manners; you alsodon't know who they know. And remember, today's secretary may be tomorrow's marketing manager.
5 Say Something - Have the courage to converse with everyone you meet. Plan some interesting and appropriate conversation starters to take you beyond "Hello". Be topical know what's going on in your industry, your community, your world. Knowing you have something to say takes the fear out of many social situations.
