At this time of the year, it seems if you were involved with any group, there is a gathering to celebrate your generosity of time. For some of those events you will know many people, for some you will know only a few. The fate for you is to learn to treat each of the events the same. One such book which gives you advice on how to do this is How to Work a Room – Your Essential Guide to Savvy Socializing by Susan RoAne published by HarperCollins, NY, 1988. The method has not changed and the guide is still very useful. The first thing you want to do is have a desire to go and see other people or your attitude. If you go and want to socialize you will have more fun. If you go because you have to go or feel an obligation to go, you attitude towards the people will show. At every social event, you can learn things, and implement them in other parts of your life.

The rules for Connecting are:

1.  Be Prepared – with a good attitude, focus of why you are going, a self-introduction of yourself to other guests (how you connected to the hosts or the theme or the event itself) if appropriate business cards and a smile and handshake go along way.
2. Attend – instead of acting like the guests, act like the host and meet people.
3. At the event try some Strategies – read the name tags, talk to the wallflowers – those that are hanging at the back of the room and seemingly not talking to anyone. Approach people and be approachable, Smile, Listen and Care what people say. Depending on the event follow up with either a call, email or thank you notes.
4. Say Something – ask open ended questions to people and listen with interest to the response. Pay attention to what they are saying .
5. Mind thy Manners – acknowledge others and treat everyone nicely.
6. Avoid the Common Crutches – don’ t arrive too late, leave too early, drink too much, eat too much,
7. Remember the 3 E’s – Make an Effort, Bring your Energy and exude Enthusiasm
8. Dress Appropriately – if do not know ask the host.
9. Remember the 3 C’s – Courtesy, Charm and Chutzpah
10.  Bring your Sense of Humour – laughter is good.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, as an investor people will pass on what they think are good investments. Some of them can be, some of them are not.  A piece of advice, one my activities is belonging to a foundation, we only make decisions twice a year. The other times we take advice but not action. Taking action too soon loses money and we are only interested in the long term horizon, other words take your time with advice given, but enjoy the gatherings.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.