Network During the Holidays
December 12th, 2006 by Andrew
It’s never time to stop your professional networking, especially around the holidays. In fact, this time of year presents two great opportunities to build your network and keep in touch with contacts.
Hob Nob Over Egg Nog
You are most likely invited to numerous holiday parties. With friends and family to see, you will have your share of events to attend during the holiday season. Instead of dreading these gatherings, you should see them as an invitation to meet new people.
Sure, a lot of the parties will be the same people you have seen time and again. However, you will likely see some new faces as well. This is your key opportunity.
Networking in this context isn’t really different from any other gathering, but you do not want to shove your business card in everyone’s face. In fact, at holiday parties you should be a little more reserved and conservative in your contact. People are there to have fun and celebrate the holidays, not gather business cards.
A good method to use at these gatherings might be to only offer your card if asked. You do not have to be shy about mentioning your profession, or the value you could provide to someone’s business, but you don’t want to look like a business card troll.
Finally, keep in mind the value of people you meet at these parties, and conduct yourself accordingly. In other words, act in a kind and professional manner. Don’t get drunk and wear the lampshade on your head while dancing on the table.
Send Holiday Cards
The second way to utilize the holidays for networking is to send holiday cards to your networking contacts.
The same caveats for parties apply to the holiday card situation. You must remain professional. You also do not want to send an overtly business-type holiday card.
Basically, you should come up with a list of people to whom you want to send cards. These could be your more important contacts and/or people with whom you are out of touch. Send as few or as many cards as you would like.
Importantly, be sure to tailor your cards to the religious beliefs of each recipient or just send a generic “holiday” card. You want to reconnect with people, not offend them.
The message for your cards should be sincere. Hopefully you will have a list that enables a personal message in each card. Try to show real interest in the recipient’s life and things that are meaningful to him/her.
If you use these tips carefully, you should find the holidays productive for networking. Just use your discretion and respect that it is the holiday season.
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