Imagine walking into a room filled with potential connections. You grab a martini from the bar to fit in and for a little boost in confidence. You’re feeling like Mad Men’s Don Draper and ready to conquer the professional world, but there’s a small twist – that cocktail could turn on you and become your worst enemy.
During the INICIVOX® Mentor SkillShare: Trade Show Networking Edition, globetrotting professionals covered the do’s and don’ts of trade show networking. One of the hot topics covered was finding the balance between networking and alcohol consumption– an issue many professionals struggle with at different stages of their careers.
Networking at trade shows and professional events can be a pivotal opportunity to conduct business and meet potential new clients and contacts. However, it can also be disastrous if you find yourself trying to keep up with the “professional drinkers.”
During this INICIVOX® Mentor SkillShare session, the panelists discussed how alcohol can help create a relaxed atmosphere, however, getting carried away by drinking too much could tarnish your professional reputation. As panelist Sean Conner stated, “Perception is reality, and those impressions will last forever.”
The responses to the question, “How do you handle networking during cocktail hours at trade shows? Any personal guidelines on alcohol consumption, and strategies for engaging clients or celebrating with colleagues, especially in situations involving heavy drinkers?” provided some valuable guidelines on acceptable and professional ways to “sip smart” during networking events. Mentor panelists, including Brian Terry, Katrina Tolentino and Sean Conner, shared their advice and offered tips on making the most of these events without compromising professionalism:
- Caution with Cocktails: Cocktail hours are a good opportunity to meet new people and make meaningful connections, however it’s important to stay on the cautious side of drinking— remember, you are there to conduct business.
- Networking Beyond the Bar: Not all networking happens around a bar. Seek out alternative networking events, minus the focus on alcohol, as these events can be even more effective in finding lasting and meaningful connections.
- Sip Like a Pro: During cocktail hour, know your limit and watch what alcohol you consume, how much of it and with whom you are surrounding yourself. Stay alert!
- The Two Drink Limit: Limit yourself to two drinks for the entire evening (not two drinks in one hour). Real networking pros drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.
- Mocktails: The Stealthy Solution: Not drinking anything sometimes makes others uncomfortable. If they don’t see a drink in your hand, they may bring you one! To avoid this situation, order a mocktail or club soda with a lime, and it will still look like you are having a good time. Most people don’t even notice you are alcohol free if you have a glass with garnish in your hand that “looks the part.”
- Connections vs. Cocktails: If you want to get the most out of networking, you should be busy talking to people, not focused on ordering that next drink. Save the drunken nights for friends not colleagues.
- Be the Best Version of Yourself: You never know who you may come in contact with over cocktails, so limit alcohol consumption to keep your best self front and center (not the drunk version of you).
- Avoid Being “That Guy or Girl”: Everyone always remembers the person who gets dragged out of a party for drinking too much (or worse yet, the one who got sick)! You don’t want one night of trying to keep up with the “professional drinkers” to ruin your reputation. It’s just not worth it.
- Perception is Reality: The way people perceive something becomes their reality, and these first impressions can last for the entirety of your career. Don’t let alcohol cloud your authentic self.
Most importantly, don’t fall for professional peer pressure. You don’t need to drink to loosen up or to be more confident. Alcohol is essentially just a crutch. Being yourself at networking events without the toxic influence will attract more meaningful connections. By going alcohol free or limiting your alcohol consumption, the best part is you’ll remember those contacts the next morning!
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