12 Tips for Christmas networking - Gearing up to Gearing Down

December is a notoriously busy time for the Property Industry.  Functions, events, christmas parties and informal get togethers are a plenty at this seasonal time and its easy to pick the most attractively designed invitation or meet up with trusted industry friends instead of making the most out of a period where hard to reach contacts are a little more easier to come by.

So here are our 12 tips for survivin

g the Christmas period and making the most of our month of merriment.

1 – Pace Yourself.
Don't attend everything but the opening of an envelope in the first week and experience social burn out.  Good Business Development Managers will tell you that its hard work being in "sell" mode 24/7 – ensure you space out social events in your diary. 

2 – An old networking trick but try and find out who is going beforehand. 

Ask the organisers for an "invited" list prior to confirming your attendance.  Ask yourself will key decision makers be there?  Is this event REALLY of business use or is it an excuse to catch up with friends?

3 – Ask if you can bring a colleague with you.
Its always received well to be seen to be adding value to someones event by bringing a colleague who is not already known.  How many times do you yourself lose contact with a company when your "contact" moves on to pastures new?

4 – Make a point of attending some events you don't normally go to.
It is true that the property industry tend to socialise in friendly packs.  So join an extra pack.  Increase the opportunity of meeting a new group of property people and expanding your business chances by trying something new.

5 – Make a point of introducing yourself to at least one person you don't know.

It is all too easy to remain in your comfort zone and catch up with known contacts at an event.  But that is not the purpose of networking.  If you already know the contact, then you can arrange a one to one at another time. 

6 – Don't get too drunk
Tis the season to be merry but how many of us have forgotten about people we have met or what we have talked about.  Again, pace yourself

7 – Call hard to reach contacts/clients and use the Christmas period as an excuse to catch up in a relaxed environment.  Get to know them better

8 – Tackle as many new targets as old if organising your own party.  They will probably welcome the change of scenery!

9 – Be sincere. 
Good business relationships are built on sincerity.  Do not enter into dialogue with a new contact half heartedly.  If there are synergies between your companies, invest in your relationship and the business will come

10 – Plan for the new year
Use the quiet days at Christmas to update your contact database, adding new and refreshing old details

11 – Invite a guest to an FBE Event.
If you are reading this you already know the benefits of being involved with FBE.  Share the knowledge. 

12 – Enjoy yourself but stay focused.
These are challenging times and every

opportunity must be taken to increase your business chances.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas!