Managing the Mingling

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Managing the Mingling
Karen Smythe, ITF 035 (AUSTRALIA)
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The Invitation

• Attend or send apologies?

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The Benefits of Mingling
Business

• Establish communication
• Broaden client base
• Learn new information
• Increase income
• Enhance career opportunities
• Have fun

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The Benefits of Mingling
Social

• Feel comfortable
• Boost self-confidence
• Meet new friends
• Learn new information
• Have fun

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The reason why we dont want to mingle

• Nervous around people you dont know
• Dont know the people
• Dont know what to say
• Too difficult
• Shyness
• Fear that the person wont like you

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Prepare yourself for the function

• Prior planning prevents poor performances
• Do your homework
• Attending will be easier if you prepare beforehand

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Adopt a positive attitude

• Attitude makes a big difference
• Go with open mind and positive attitude
• Be enthusiastic and smile

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Focus on the benefits

• Write down all positive aspects of the function
• Read it daily
• It will help to keep a positive attitude

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Plan your self-introduction

• Tell people who you are
• Name and something about yourself in a positive
  manner
• Social State how you know or relate to the host

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Check your business cards

• A way for people remember you after the function
• Always have a supply of cards with you
• Write a note on cards received

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Prepare your Small Talk

• The aim for small talk is to make people
  comfortable
• Should not take over conversation or impress
  people
• Have some topics prepared

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Prepare your conversation

• Read newspapers everyday
• Catch up with local news
• Read about the organization
• Take note of what other people say

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Good eye contact smile

• Look directly at the person
• Smile
• Be sincere
• Dont look to find someone more important to talk
  to

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The handshake

• Practice your handshake
• Be confident with a firm handshake
• Handshake can show your personality

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Arriving at the function
Strategy 1

• Arrive on time
• Take a deep breath, stand tall, walk into the
  room
• Look around for someone you know
• If not, find a friendly face and introduce
  yourself

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The buddy system
Strategy 2

• Find someone you know who is attending and go
  together
• At some point, split to meet other people
• Develop a signal when you need help to remove
  yourself from a difficult situation

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Time to move on
Strategy 3

• Break away, move on, meet other people
• Look for a quiet person who is probably as scared
  as you
• Take a breath, make eye contact and introduce
  yourself

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Use nametags to your advantage
Strategy 4

• Find something about the person
• Remember the name
• Attach it to the right side
• Repeat the name to remember it

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Opening lines
Strategy 5

• Different events require different types of
  opening lines
• First smile, say hello
• Then make a statement, ask a question or mention
  something about yourself

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Listen actively
Strategy 6

• If you wish to mingle, become a good listener
• Display body language
• Eye contact, nodding, smiling and laughing,
  asking questions, making statements

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Breaking entering conversations
Strategy 7

• Dont intrude in a two-people active conversation
• Look for groups of three or more
• Approach, smile and wait for the group to involve
  you
• Make others feel comfortable

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Moving to another group
Strategy 8

• Dont stay with the same people all the time
• Move out with an excuse
• Once out, move to another group

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The DO list

• Reply to a function and show up on time
• Be open to benefits of attending
• Prepare yourself for it
• Be positive about attending
• Take enough business cards
• Follow up with people you promised to contact
• Be enthusiastic and smile
• Dress appropriately

The DO List
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The DO list

• Bring your sense of humor
• Treat one as the most important person
• Laugh at yourself
• Introduce people you know to the group
• Listen actively
• Meet as many people as you can
• Have a great time
• Send a tank-you note

The DO List
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The DONT list

• Dont drink excessively
• Dont sit down
• Dont put people down
• Dont use racist, sexist, or other offensive
  forms of humor
• Dont be afraid of laugh
• Dont forget your business cards
• Dont get caught in the same conversation all
  night

The DONT List
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Some final tips

• Use business cards to your advantage
• Make good eye contact and wear a smile
• Listen actively and be sincere
• Treat each person as the most important person
  you meet today
• Move around the room and meet new people
• Always thank the host before you leave

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Human relations

• 6 most important words I admit I made a mistake
• 5 most important words You did a good job
• 4 most important words What is your opinion?
• 3 most important words If you please
• 2 most important words Thank you
• 1, the most important word We
• 0, the least important word I