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Kallie's Keys to PDA: Fast food and networking tips
9/29/2009
by Kallie Bonnell

I know, I know, this column is supposed to be about professional development advancement (PDA). So why am I talking about fast food? Well, I’m not really, in the title Fast food and networking tips, fast is describing how easy these tips are to learn, and remember.

Let’s face it, we’ve all attended a professional development opportunity involving food and beverage, if we’re being really honest, they’re my favorite kind! Regardless there are a few things to keep in mind whether this is a seminar reception, or an informational interview over lunch, or a formal dinner party.

If the event is standing and mingling:
  • Always put your name tag on your right side – then it is forward when you go to shake hands with your right hand.
  • Always keep one hand open for shaking. i.e. If you want to eat, then eat but your plate should be the only item you are operating. If you want to drink, then drink, but your glass should be the only thing in your hands. Trust me, there’s plenty of time to do both independently. This keeps you from fumbling with your items and from having too many drinks. Both are positives.
If the event is a casual lunch:
  • Don’t order soup or pasta. Just don’t do it. There is nothing glamorous about eating either.
  • Try to avoid items with a lot of herbs and spices so they don’t stick to your teeth as well.
  • Don’t drink – even if everyone else is doing it.  
If the event is a nice dinner:
  • Oh no! There’s so much stuff on the table, what stuff is mine? Here’s one simple trick. Put both your hands out in front of you (c’mon, do it). Now, raise both pointers in the air, while making the remainder of your fingers into ‘o’ shapes with your thumb. If you did it right it should look like a ‘b’ on your left and a ‘d’ on your right. Perfect! Now you know that your ‘b’read plate is on your left and your ‘d’rink is to your right.
  • When you are done eating (still avoid soup and pasta) place ALL of your silverware on your plate at an angle from 11 o’clock to 5 o’clock, as if your plate were a clock. This will queue the wait staff you are finished.
Introductions at any event:
Always introduce the more important person first. If John Smith is the CEO of your company and you brought your platonic/not-platonic friend Mike Jones it would sound something like “Mr. Smith I would like to introduce you to Mike Jones.” So who’s more important? That’s a personal call. I will tell you I always introduce people to my mother. I think moms get special treatment in these situations, I mean she did bring you into this world.

Shaking hands at any event:
Make it firm, not limp, but not crushing either. Look them in the eyes and listen and commit their name to memory. Lastly, ladies, this one is for you, do NOT turn your hand over. You may not realize you do this, and it is getting less common, however, turning your hand even slightly to the left so the top is up gives the impression you want your hand kissed.
 
What other tips would you add?



Hi, I'm Kallie Bonnell, and I am pretty pumped to pass along an assortment of thoughts on Professional Development Advancement - PDA. (If you thought, by the title, you were going to get some insight into my personal life - think again!) Coming from what feels like the smallest town in the state only to move onto the largest (and greatest) university in Indiana (IU), I was out of my element, taking on a brand new world alone. It was during this timeframe my initial passion for professional development ignited. I brought that passion, as well as a journalism and psychology degree, with me to our monumental capitol city and have been honing my interest ever since. My other interests include strategic public relations, branding, new technologies, current events, reading, traveling, golfing, concert going, socializing and sipping on vino - red, of course! If you'd like to contact me please do so at   kjbonnell@gmail.com




Click here to post your comment
3/2/2010 11:25:38 AM
Content
Really? Tell us something we don't know...ha!
11/2/2009 12:56:58 PM
getting people to your informational seminar
It's great that you've provided all of these hints/tips on professional networking etiquette, but I want to know how you get people to your seminar/meeting to start off with.
9/29/2009 4:29:33 PM
Tips
Dont chew gum, dont smell (smoke, or cologne/perfume). Project real confidence, not liquid, dont be that guy. Repeat the name of the person you just met, it will help you remember so you dont have to look awkwardly at their namtag.