Your Condensed Guide for Working a Room
Your Condensed Guide for Working a Room by Oscar Bruce
Copyright: 2005 Article Autoresponder:
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Your Condensed Guide for Working a Room By Dr. Oscar
Working a room...if only it could be fun...or at least
guaranteed productive. I am referring to that mandatory event
that requires us to mix and mingle, to meet and greet.
Command performance events like a cocktail party, a business
dinner, or a charity event can feel stiff and uncomfortable.
Very few people actually enjoy walking into a room full of
strangers.
So why put yourself through that torture? Well for one thing,
Nathan Keyfitz, professor of sociology at Harvard observes,
"Social skills will be of even greater importance for economic
success in the future. The most successful people will be those
who can communicate and connect best."
Put another way, it's free advertising, and you control the
entire message. Is it sometimes uncomfortable? Absolutely, but
the upside is huge. The more you put yourself in networking
situations, the easier it becomes and the greater the
professional, social, and personal benefits.
Here is a condensed guide for working a room:
Approach every networking opportunity with the attitude that it
is going to be fun. While no single event is guaranteed to
change your life, any single event could. Remember, success is
measured by percentages, not perfection. Who isn't attracted to
someone who is smiling, laughing, and enjoying him or herself!
Be Prepared. Be clear about your objectives. Keep focus on your
purpose in being there. Don't be easily distracted from the
outcome you have in mind.
Next, don't wait for others to approach you. Yes, I know it is a
bit uncomfortable for some, perhaps you. So think about how
great you feel when someone takes the initiative to walk up to
you and introduces themselves. Then you do the same.
Acquire and practice several good conversation openers. The best
technique is art of asking intelligent questions that convey the
impression there is depth and style to your personality. Show
them that they could benefit by getting spending more time with
you.
When you make an interesting contact, focus all your attention
on that single person. Don't let your eyes wander around the
room. Keep eye contact and actively listen. Give that person the
sense that you have been waiting all evening just to meet them.
In other words, make them feel important.
Learn the art of small talk. Call it chit chat or even foreplay
if you like. Its purpose is to put people at east. It starts
with finding an area of common interest. This means knowing just
the right questions to ask, and at precisely the right moment.
Always remember, small talk doesn't teach, preach, or try to
impress. It is just light and easy conversation.
Do your homework. If possible review the names of the people
attending, their spouses or partners, their affiliations. If you
can recall any prior contacts, refer to that to open the
conversation. That will appreciate the fact that you remember.
Finally, common sense tells us not arrive late, drink too much,
dress too casually, or push your agenda excessively. Don't glue
yourself to one person the whole night just because they are
fascinating, mingle.
Few things personally or professionally happen by accident.
Consider going to your next command performance (that's what it
is) totally prepared. Then watch how much fun you can have when
you know why you are there, and can tell your story with style
and humor, persuasively.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oscar Bruce is considered the ultimate personal communications
guru. His dynamic books are field manuals for managing
conversation or confrontations. His website offers verbal
strategies that can add power to your conversations. His FREE
newsletter is available at http://oscarbruce.com
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