“Let’s meet for drinks.” Four little words that signal it’s time to turn on your effective communication skills. Every presenter, manager and sales person knows that meeting for drinks can be of critical importance to get the business outcomes you desire. Yet, this decision to drink together requires your skillful communication talents before, during and after sharing drinks.
Before drinks. If you are the last presenter of the day, and people are eyeing the door, you know why. They can’t wait to get to the bar. Keep this in mind, as you know where the attention will be heading. At the very least, end on time or early to maintain command of the room.
During drinks. If you are presenting critical information, consider the state of the person you are addressing. After a drink or two, the conversation may tend to get less formal. However, as the presenter, you want to be professional and err on the side of formality.
After drinks. The day after a night in the bar can be problematic. People in your audience may have continued drinking together after you headed up to your hotel room. This is particularly the case for conference settings, multiple day meetings and off-site sales meetings. Meeting for drinks can severely impact your audiences’ ability to stay with your presentation.
Here’s how effective communication skills can save the day. Find out if people have been partying late the night before. If you are the first presenter of the day in a multiple day conference, you should plan on this as a likely possibility. Have some eye-opening information to start your presentation off the right start.
Use your communication skills to be effective with the people in the room – and the hung over state they may be experiencing. If this is a common problem, consider starting a little later, providing extra strong coffee, and encouraging people to eat a healthy breakfast. If your environment permits, address this state of affairs directly. This can lighten the mood and after a few groans, people will start to kick into gear and begin working.
While drinking together can be a cultural norm, a fun event and a good time for networking, it’s also a great time to use your communication skills.
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