It's Christmas time...time for socialising, time for networking

Either way you are going to meet strangers, you know those funny people your mummy told you not to talk to when you were very young


But you're now grown up. here are some thoughts before you enter the arena

1 99% of people are nervous. If you're not you, are abnormal!
2 Expect nearly everyone to be welcoming and polite. There will be the odd rude person. Don't focus on them, put your energies into the majority of pleasant people.
3 You are as good as everyone else in that room. You might not be as rich, as beautiful or have an important job title.
4 Networking i.e. building relationships is about giving first. Give of yourself, pay attention to what others are saying and you'll become popular quickly and create a great impression.
5 Be brave...approach strangers and say, "Please can I join you?" or " may I introduce myself?" You won't be rejected...honest!

Time to go into the arena

Manage your clients’ expectations

If there is one key phrase in customer service I believe it’s that.
I would like to think I am a loyal customer to my suppliers and when I have to change I feel uncomfortable and really don’t like it. In fact, for me, the emotion of losing a client or changing a supplier is very similar.There is failure in the air.

I had been working with someone where the deal was he did a certain amount of work each month at a fixed fee. He is an expert in his field and I believe I was getting value for money. At the start of this month I got 2 invoices. When I queried this I was told how much extra work had been done. I didn’t dispute that, although I didn’t know exactly what I was getting for my money each time. What I tried to explain was I would have expected to have been asked permission to do this work in advance of our normal arrangements. When my supplier couldn’t see my point I thought, ’Let’s shake hands and move on.’ We need certainty in our lives and, in business, no shocks. We need to keep the customer informed all the way through the relationship, in other words manage their expectations.

Plan and prepare for your networking

Just think of those 7 open questions
WHO will be going? Who should go with me? Who will the hosts be?
WHAT is the event all about? What will the format be?
WHEN is the event? Can I go, what are the timings?
WHERE is it? Do I have directions, any parking problems?
WHY is this event being held? DO I need to know some history behind it?
WHICH dress or suit am I going to wear?
HOW will I get home if I have too much to drink?! How am I going to be perceived if I get in that state?