Make the Most of a Mixer

Especially at this time of year, mixers and other functions offering networking opportunities are all around us. But there's more to a networking event than the bar or collecting business cards. Meghan Dorn (right), community outreach liaison for NetworkingPhoenix.com, has three Ps that will help you perfect your networking at any time of the year.

PREPARATION: It is really important to be strategic when you are networking for business purposes. No matter if you are in career transition or if you are looking for the next big account for your firm, you need to find the right opportunity to reach your objectives. We are really lucky in Phoenix because not only do we have the amazing programming from our own Greater Phoenix Chamber, but we also have Networking Phoenix's online calendar that is a resource of of over 600 events monthly, nearly 20,000 local professionals, and hundreds of organizations - all at your fingertips!

You want to make sure that you are networking with the right groups for you. As the President of the Arizona State Young Alumni, I can personally attest to the value of networking with your alma mater, whatever it may be! Before you walk into the room, you know that you will have at least one thing in common with everyone else. Do your research on the events that interest you. Utilize your social media network to vet things out, but ultimately the decision is yours.

PRESENTING YOURSELF: Dress the part and the part is YOU! You can have your own personal style when you go out and network. If you aren’t the suit and tie kind of person, don’t think you HAVE to wear that to an event, BUT, remember you are at a professional function. So, ladies - cover the décolletage and keep the heel height below six inches (you don’t want to tower over those alpha males too much!) Gentlemen - no, a tie isn’t always required, but closed toe shoes and a non-rumpled shirt are going to get you further than sandals and plaid shorts (assuming this is not a post-golfing mixer).

When you are at a networking function, your objective should never be to collect every business card and repeat your 30 second commercial to every person you meet. Make a connection with someone - whether it’s business-related or not. You might start talking to someone and realize that you are both from the same city. People won’t do business with your card and they don’t business with your company: they will do business with you because they like YOU!

Say hello to those you know but don’t linger too much. Your objective, and theirs as well, is to meet as many new connections as possible. If you recognize someone from a previous function and don’t recall their name, be honest and re-introduce yourself. They will appreciate you saying hello again. Try to meet and connect with as many people as possible. Ask them questions about what they do. People love hearing themselves talk, so keep asking questions. You might not get a word in edgewise, but believe me, they will remember you! More than likely, someone else will join the conversation and start asking you questions so you will get your time to shine.

I often get asked about indulging in libations when networking. I’m not going to lie: I like a good dirty martini just as much as the next person, but I’m not going to have four of them when I’m networking. My trick if I really want to indulge? I have one mixed cocktail, usually a gin and tonic, then I have the server refill with just water. It’s a great trick because I’m not drinking too much before driving myself home, I’m not drinking so much that people remember me for being “that girl” at the mixer, and I’m always working on my girlish figure so one cocktail is good for me.

POST-SCRIPT: The most critical thing you can do after a networking function is follow up. There is a small window of about 72 hours when we become forgettable to those we have met. It’s not personal, it’s business. If you didn’t make a lasting impression with someone and reach out to them right away, that ship may have sailed. And by follow up, I mean writing a personal note to that individual highlighting the conversation and CONNECTION you made with them. Do not just toss them into your company’s e-newsletter campaign. Not only is it tacky, unprofessional and rude, but I’m pretty sure the FCC has some strict rules about e-marketing....but that’s another article.

I hope you found these tips to be useful. For more networking and business related tips, visit NetworkingPhoenix.com. Happy Networking!

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This story is part of the Chamber's monthly Valley Young Professionals email. To sign up for any or all of the Chamber's email communications, click here.