Work The Room - with ease

According to business communications adviser Mandy Haeburn-Little, social occasions and business events are one of the best ways to generate new sales and seal deals for the year ahead  provided you know exactly how to steer the conversation around to what you need to talk about without putting people off.

In a bid to try to help people make the most of these social gatherings when times are tight Haeburn-Little has launched her own training programme, The Work Room, to help businesses and their staff understand the dos and don'ts of dos.

Haeburn-Little said: "Day in, day out, I meet people who are paralysed by the thought of having to walk into a room cold and meet others. The mere idea of having to break into a group or close a boring conversation can really intimidate some people - even at senior level. Every time a member of an organisation is out at an event they are the ambassador and the front line for that company. You only get one chance at these occasions so it is vital that people have the skills they need. For others, they can chat away confidently for ages but can't convert that into any meaningful business.

"For some people it can be fairly straightforward, they just need to know how to be able to shake hands while holding a plate, or how on earth to remember everyone's names. But for others these functions are a real source of stress and they need a few tricks of the trade to boost their confidence. There are also some companies whose staff tend to huddle together at these networking events, which is really a complete waste of everyone's time and money."

As part of this new unique course participants will be given tips on how to prepare for business and social events as well as practicing techniques on how to start a conversation and even how to finish a conversation diplomatically. There's also very practical information in terms of follow up and how to turn a contact into a potential sales lead.

Haeburn-Little added: "The Work The Room programme offers guidance and practice through real scenarios for participants including working a room as a team, and making sure your guests have food and drink. The techniques enable participants to make the most of a wide variety of social and business events so that they are able work the room with ease and subtly make the most of every situation.

"Particularly in these tight economic times it is essential for those of us working in business at all levels, whether as a chief executive or a company receptionist, to make every contact with others count. Participants are guided through a wide range of tips and techniques to ensure that they can make a positive and lasting impression with everyone they come into contact with. The programme is really good fun and we always get really great feedback on this."

The coaching programme is being offered to businesses nationally that want to maximise their potential and want to help their colleagues feel at ease when in the company of clients or potential customers so that they make the best use of every minute at every type of event.

Interested businesses and individuals can get further details of the Work The Room programme can be obtained by contacting info@mhlcorporate.com