The Easiest Time Of The Year To Network And Connect

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

The holidays are a prime time for networking. Holiday parties, social gatherings, and business meetings are great opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

Often, people are reluctant to reach out to old friends and colleagues, fearing their outreach will be ignored or rebuffed. However, a simple email with a subject line that says, “it feels like 100 years since we last spoke,” acknowledges the truth of the passage of time and offers a simple way to begin reconnecting.

Your message can read, “it feels like 100 years since we last spoke. You came into my mind, and I thought I would reach out to wish you (a Merry Christmas and) a Happy New Year. So let’s speak after the holidays set up a time to talk, hopefully in person.” Very simple, isn’t it?

You can also send e-cards to old coworkers and business contacts to ask them about their lives (including wives/husbands/partners and children) to open the door to a later conversation about careers and job opportunities.

In addition, holiday parties tend to leave employees and executives in a good mood and open to remembering you in a good light. However, If the holiday party is not in your cup of tea, send Christmas cards to those you know in your industry…