How to Sleigh Your Networking Game This Holiday Season
The holiday season might bring visions of sugar plums and gingerbread lattes, but for leaders, it’s also the perfect time to rev up networking and business development. Here’s why you should send your team out to network even if it’s cold outside:
Holiday Cheer Fosters Networking
During the holiday season, the mood is lighter, people are more social, and events abound. This is the time when even the hardest-to-reach contacts are more open to grabbing coffee or attending a holiday party. The spirit of generosity and goodwill makes it easier to break the ice with potential clients, partners, and talent. Research shows that consumer spending increases during the holidays, making executives more optimistic about their business decisions. Why not leverage that optimism for your networking?
Casual Conversations, Big Wins: The Holiday Networking Advantage
The holidays bring a unique opportunity: casual conversations often lead to unexpected business opportunities. With people in a festive mood and less guarded, organic discussions about company goals and challenges can unfold naturally. This is the perfect time to highlight how your organization can help bridge gaps. By engaging in low-pressure chats, you may discover high-reward opportunities that could pave the way for fruitful collaborations. After all, as many successful professionals know, some of the best deals start with a simple, friendly conversation.
Holiday Downtime? More Like Executive Access Prime Time
Even top executives tend to slow down during the holidays, providing more bandwidth for thoughtful conversations. With leadership focused on leveraging year-end momentum for the upcoming year, now’s your chance to make a lasting impression. Tap into this window to position yourself as a solution provider. The holidays offer a unique window to position yourself as the go-to solution provider while others are off the radar. Seize this opportunity to get in front of decision-makers before the new year’s rush.
Plant the Seeds Now, Reap the Rewards in Q1
While others are winding down for the holidays, you can be busy laying the groundwork for a successful first quarter. By filling your sales pipeline now, you’re setting yourself up for early wins when January hits. Deals and partnerships started during this festive season can blossom into major opportunities, giving you a head start while competitors are still shaking off the holiday fog. With companies already locking in their budgets for the new year, this is the perfect moment to offer your services and get ahead of the competition.
Don't Let Your Team Snooze Through the Season—Recruit for Success
If your sales team isn't capitalizing on the holiday networking opportunities, or worse, they aren’t even meeting basic performance expectations, then it's time to reevaluate your strategy. This is where partnering with an executive recruiter, like TurningPoint, can make all the difference. A seasoned recruiter can identify top-tier talent while competitors are snoozing by the fireplace. As Ken Schmitt, Ascentria Partner, puts it, "Networking during the holidays isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential." The holiday season offers a unique window to secure talent while your competitors are distracted. Don’t let an underperforming team hold you back—an experienced recruiter can bring in top-tier candidates who are not only skilled but also prepared to hit the ground running in leveraging those critical holiday connections. With the right sales team in place, you’ll be positioned to hit the ground running and dominate the new year instead of playing catch-up.
The holiday season isn’t just for mistletoe and eggnog—it's the perfect opportunity for networking and business development. So, dust off your holiday sweater, brush up on your small talk, and get out there. Who knows? That casual conversation at a holiday party could lead to your next big deal.
Ready to Sleigh Your Networking Game? Don’t let the holiday season slip away without maximizing your networking potential! Start by setting up coffee chats, attending holiday events, and reaching out to those hard-to-reach contacts. Make the most of this festive spirit to build meaningful connections that could lead to your next big deal. And if your sales team needs a boost, consider partnering with TurningPoint to find top-tier talent ready to take on the new year.
Let’s make this holiday season your most productive yet! Start networking today and watch your sales pipeline flourish.