THE SEASON IS THE REASON, By Gayle Hallgren-Rezac

Because of the upcoming holiday season, as I go around the Pacific Northwest meeting new networkers and business professionals wanting to network better, I am reminded about this great article that Gayle Hallgren-Rezac sent and wanted to share it to show how we are connecting to others here in the Pacific Northwest and western states. May it spark ideas and help you meet those that you can positively impact, as well as those who can positively impact you. – Lori Richardson, Northwest Bureau Chief, The National NetWorker

THE SEASON IS THE REASON
Positive Networking® Tips for the Holiday Season

By Gayle Hallgren-Rezac

One of the most common questions that people ask us at our networking seminars is, “How do I follow up with someone I haven’t spoken to in quite awhile?” You are in luck! One of the very best ways to reconnect is during the upcoming holiday season. People aren’t surprised if you invite them to an event, if you send them a card, or drop them an email. You don’t need a reason; the holiday season is the reason.

If you’ve stopped sending greeting cards, start again. Write a personal greeting or note. A nice touch is to choose a greeting card produced by a charity such as your local Children’s Hospital. Or try this website www.sendoutcards.com for one of the most efficient ways to send out cards by old-fashioned snail mail. Avoid email cards unless sending to close friends.

Turn your ‘closed’ office party into an event for your customers. Staff and customers often spend years talking to one and other, exclusively by phone or email. Even if they work a block away from one and other they may have never have met in person! Invite customers and clients so everyone will now have a ‘face to go along with a name.’ It’s a huge bonus to on-going customer relations. Note: Everyone should wear nametags.


Eat before you go. Ah yes, the juggling act when mingling and jingling: the hors d’oeuvres-wine-handshake-business card challenge can be too much multi-tasking for most of us. Think how liberated you will feel if you go to an event and can circulate with your hands free. Save the rum balls and shortbread cookie raid for your visit to the relatives.

Send gifts that are memorable. While you may want to give a logo-ed corporate gift or gift basket, sometimes a unique gift is greatly appreciated. One of the most personal gifts you can give (without getting personal) is a book—business or non-fiction. Make it something that you have enjoyed and that you think the other person will get value from as well. And they’ll even have time over the holidays to read it.

Just say yes. Go to all the events you are invited to this holiday season even if you have more than one event on a single night. Take the time to make an appearance and say hello to your host. Don’t be a no-show. This is too good a time of year to miss the opportunity to reconnect. You don’t need a reason: the season is the reason.


Gayle Hallgren-Rezac is Vice President of Marketing for Shepa Learning Company, and co-author of Work the Pond! Use the Power of Positive Networking to Leap Forward in Work and Life by Darcy Rezac with Judy Thomson and Gayle Hallgren-Rezac (Prentice Hall) Book is available www.amazon.com To sign up for their free weekly Positive Networking Tip please go to www.workthepond.com
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THE SEASON IS THE REASON, By Gayle Hallgren-Rezac