Networking

Help, I Have A Work Dinner To Attend!

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The first consideration with a work dinner is who will be there and what is the purpose of the dinner. In considering this, it will also guide you as to the dress code and the types of conversations to prepare for. You also need to consider how you might best present yourself going forward.

Think about the purpose of the dinner: Is it a celebration… or is it a gathering put forward as the idea of a social… or is the purpose that somebody is leaving or joining the team? The type of dinner sets the ‘tone’. You must consider who is the guest of honour and what is your role in relation to the guest of honour. Also why you have been specifically invited to this function?

The purpose of the dinner will guide what is going to happen. Is there going to be a toast or other formalities during the course of evening? Let’s assume this is just a work gathering, a bit of a get to know you or a coming together informally to recognise someone’s success.

Remember, in the work context there are really no informal situations, there are just less formal situations. You need to recognise that work colleagues are colleagues first and friends second. Even if these people are your friends outside of the workplace, the context for the dinner is set from the workplace condition. This means that the behaviour will be measured against workplace behaviour and standards. This is really key to helping you navigate all the social functions you will attend where there are work colleagues or potential work colleagues. It is quite different to a social barbecue that has no career context at all.

Now that you know the reason you’re gathering, you need to think about how you will be seen over the course of the event. If it is someone else’s achievement, then your role is to make sure they are the centre of attention and the evening; your behaviour will be all about them. This is a critical component of doing well in such situations. It will drive how you interact with others but also how you present yourself. Think of it as akin to a wedding, it is the Bride’s day and your role is a supporting role.

After reason, think about location. Is it a fine dining restaurant or a simple casual restaurant? What about if it is a party at your manager’s home? Location is one of the key indicators of the tone of what the evening is going to bring. It tells us much about the type of behaviour that will be expected and the level of formality to be observed during the evening. In a casual bistro, speeches will be less formal and attire is office casual clothes, whereas a ballroom will require a smart cocktail dress, of a certain length and with certain ‘coverage’. A more formal dining situation leads to different considerations as the evening progresses.

Now you can consider what might be the most appropriate type of dress. Remember that business attire for all events can vary based on the context of your work and where your gathering. You want to be remembered for your comments and grace, not what you wore or how you wore it. Why was Julia Gillard always a discussion about dress and Julia Bishop is about substance? The answer is simple, make sure how you’re dressed blends with the situation. Then you will be heard for you, and you will be able to shine without worrying about other distractions.

Making Small Talk That Is Not Small Talk At All!

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Often people think that small talk is about the weather, about how somebody is dressed or the event, when in actual fact, small talk is targeted talk about the subject at hand based on the situation or context you find yourself in.

Small talk is about building relationships and engaging in something that is of interest to the other party. The ‘game’ is to create a longer conversation that is memorable for all the right reasons.

Here is our first warning:

There used to be a clear rule: Never discuss politics, religion or sex but as our society has changed, these rules have relaxed. Yet this is still good advice. The chances are you have strong views on your politics, for example, and hence it is easy to alienate someone or make the other person feel uncomfortable.

Small talk is the art of building rapport and making others feel important. Therefore, while you might have opinions about a number of ‘hot’ topics try instead to focus these conversations where it is easier to not offend. Start with the purpose of the function itself, mutual acquaintances, other likely shared interests.

Holidays are great topics, as are books recently read. Try to ask open questions (those that require more than a yes/no answer) as these allow people to engage with the conversation beyond opinion alone.

So while it may be tempting to talk about the weather or even the food that you’re eating it can be really valuable to stop and think about what has brought the group together. For example if it is a fundraising dinner then conversations about use of those funds or the cause are good places to start. Also your connection to being there can be a great opener.

If it is a work function stay away from gossip, think instead of interesting things that you might have heard that are public comment such as what the company is planning to do or something that your team might have recently been working on. Use the opportunity to learn about others and promote who you are and what you are doing (just a little bit!)

When meeting people or introducing people, look to make connections between them. Remember introduce the most junior people first i.e “CEO, meet Ms New Employee”, not the other way around (check out our making awesome introductions information for more on this). Look to see what they might have in common so it gives both parties a place to ‘launch the conversation’.

Think about the lines a good conversationalist might use to start a conversation. Then, to get really good at small talk, practice, practice, practice – a lot! Find places to practice from the people you buy coffee from, to the people that you might see daily as you wait for the train, to the person you ride the elevator with.

It’s really easy to strike up a conversation when you actually think about it. In ‘40 seconds’ or less: “Hi, that looks like an interesting book …” You never know who you might meet and what you might learn.

Transitioning from Executive to Non Executive: 5 Things Women Must Know

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It would be true to say that most female senior executives have at least considered their exit from corporate life, but how many manage it adequately?

What many fail to do is plan this career strategy from the moment they reach senior management, and then manage it adequately.

Following the Australian Institute of Company Director’s year of powerful stories and insights from inspiring female company directors; there is no better time than now to put pen to paper and consider planning an efficacious, lucrative and personally satisfying transition to a career as a non executive director.

Deciding the future of your career beyond your current role can be a difficult proposition to face, but it is crucial if you wish to come out financially strong, in control and leave a healthy legacy behind. Planning well in advance will also help to maximise opportunities and allow time for a smooth transition and unforeseen contingencies.

Career transition should be managed five years before the planned move, following these five steps:

1. Identify your ideal second career

Be clear on your ideal second career and do your research to identify the demand for your particular skills, experience and know-how. Understand what skills and attributes decision-makers and influencers value the most.

2. Get yourself in order

The first step here is to know where the gaps are. To maximise your transition opportunities, it’s important to make sure you stand out as the obvious choice by developing the sought after qualities, characteristics and traits (above and beyond your qualifications and experience) to the highest level.

3. Spend money on the process

Then focus your attention on developing or enhancing your presence-persona that will generate offers and opportunities. Consider professional development to get the presence-persona needed to stand out from the rest. Consult an expert, coach or mentor to honestly assess any gaps and work to address these. The investment is well worth it.

4. Network, Network, Network

Build and nurture your networks. The networks you built in your corporate career are where you have come from. The networks for your non executive career will be new.

5. Be ready for the opportunity

The right opportunity may knock at your door when you expect it the least. If you’ve done the first four steps and are mentally prepared to move on, you will be able to take full advantage of opportunistic offers coming your way.

In any case, the key to successful transition is to plan it early and manage it adequately. The outcome of such a well-coordinated process will benefit you for your next role… and the next… and the next. 

Soar, Swim or Sink? Five Helpful Tips to Networking Success

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Quite simply those that make it often have gravitas. We know it when we see it, notice it when it’s absent. More importantly how do we develop it?

The person with gravitas is the one you want to be with and around. They know what to say and when to say it and rarely have any awkward moments. They fit in while standing out. In the business world we most frequently meet them during networking events, functions or organisational situations.

If you have ever had a moment of being awkward or have experienced meeting someone who is awkward you will remember the cringe worthy situation clearly. The biggest challenge I hear people face is saying it is difficult to network because they want to avoid these moments. Deep down we know it can impact careers.

But the question is how are you going to build your gravitas? Here are five helpful steps to have you well on your way to standing out from the crowd for all the right reasons.

1. Making small talk that’s not so small

Think about the person you meet that makes you feel special and the conversation flows. People with gravitas know exactly what to say and when to say it. Discuss the seasons or events not the politics, discuss the experience not your experience, discuss the situation but no criticisms please!

Step 1’s rules are what might have previously been noted as polite conversation. In a world where social media reigns, remember your opinions speak more about you than you may know. Best bet is to discuss the common thing that brought you together, save your personal opinions for personal events not business ones. Those with gravitas make the conversation easy for everyone to be in.

2. Be seen and heard

Dress up not down for most occasions. Dress like those who you will be meeting, this enables you to be heard and seen in a positive light. Yes you could dress to stand out but you don’t want to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Step 2’s rules do not mean giving up your personal style and they do mean being sensitive to how others feel. More importantly it shows how you ‘belong’ to the group. Save flashy clothes, creative clothes and daring clothes for social functions not work ones. Those with gravitas fit in appropriately.

3. Offer assistance

Beware of those who ask for something too quickly. The greatest complaint I hear about networking events is when people ask for things from others they barely know. Remember you literally just met this person, now is the time to offer help or assistance, compliments, or information… not ask for help or a job!

Step 3’s rules are aligned to a time and a place. Yes this person might have amazing opportunities and no you will not miss out. Those with gravitas offer and accept not ask and receive.

Remember the age old philosophy of givers gain.

4. Food, drink, business cards and move!

If it’s cocktail food only take what you can eat in one bite. Only have one drink and hold on to it for the duration of the function. Have your business cards accessible and at the ready and make sure you move around the room, it’s not polite to stay with one group all event.

Step 4’s rules are easy to implement. If you are going to a cocktail function think about eating with your left hand, leaving the right one food free to shake and meet/greet others. That way you can also access your business cards (remember in many cultures you must present your card with two hands not one!) and present them clean handed too. If you are at an event make sure you ‘work the room’, moving between and among groups is important as it opens conversations.

5. Thank you goes a long way

Say thanks, via email, text or card or gift. Find a way to connect after the event. It might be sending someone a blog post, or something you discussed. It could be a fruit hamper and a card, connecting afterwards in a meaningful and personal way will help you to be remembered and make the right impression.

Step 5 is about building ongoing relationships with those whom you meet at events or work with for short periods. Being remembered for all the right reasons is easier than you might have thought.

It is possible to acquire gravitas. It takes time, observation (of people who have gravitas), preparation (before you walk into a networking event or function) and a conscious decision to be aware of how making a positive impact will help your career soar and move you closer to being the obvious choice for career advancement.