Holiday Business Etiquette: Rules to Live By
(And Some Not To…)

The holiday season is upon us and office parties are afoot. Before you celebrate the festivities, there's an unwritten code of conduct that applies to this time of year. We are always on stage when we socialize. Your savvy in knowing how to put your best foot forward – and not in your mouth -- will showcase the best of who you are. Here's how to get through it without making a faux pas in front of significant people in your life, and how it will set you apart from others.

The Pratfall

Do: Be careful of the year-end bravado that can lead to disaster. Senior management pays attention to how people handle themselves at corporate events. They might not know your name, but they will remember your face. On the surface, the office party seems to be a well-deserved opportunity to let your hair down with colleagues. However, you may pay dearly for this the morning after and not be able to repair a tarnished reputation if you misbehave.

Don’t: Take this opportunity to complain about your work, your boss, or the advancement you think you are entitled to. Don’t paint a target for someone to hang on your back.
Remember that first impressions count and linger….

Do: Follow the unspoken rule of dressing tastefully. Overly provocative dressing or sloppy attire at an office party draws attention, but the wrong kind. The goal is to display professional qualities, not show how funky or daring you are.

Don’t: Wear clothing that's too casual, tight or revealing; it's a party, but they're still your co-workers. If you are going somewhere less formal afterwards, have a change of clothing with you. The same goes for your date. Their behavior will reflect on your reputation as well. You don’t want to be gossiped about or be blamed for someone else’s inappropriate attire or behavior.

Make working the room a priority

Do: Show up and adopt host behavior, even if you’d rather be elsewhere. Work the room and mingle with as many people when you arrive. Avoid talking business and resist the temptation to hang out only with your colleagues.
Don’t: Head directly to the bar as soon as you arrive. Work your way gradually, smiling at people as you make your entrance.

Prepare yourself to schmooze

Do: Manage up and introduce yourself to senior people at a company party. Never underestimate the importance of face-to-face interaction. Arrive prepared. You may have an opportunity to chat with the CEO or other senior managers you don't speak with often. Prepare topics (never business) so that you can give off the right impression. Find out what their favorite hobbies/sports are and establish commonality asap.

Don’t: Monopolize senior management with your facetime. Even in a festive setting, respect relationships, know your boundaries and demonstrate respect for all levels within your company. Circulate; it’s good for the, um, circulation.

Be gracious to everyone’s significant other

Do: Be considerate. Make conversation with your boss's spouse. In fact, be friendly with everyone's significant other. They'll remember your kindness and courtesy and may prove influential in your career.
Don’t: Get personal. If you are talking to a colleague’s or boss’s significant other, refrain from the well-intended compliments that will blow up in your face, such as: “Where has my boss been hiding you?”
Think about the repercussions

Do: Drink socially. The rule of thumb is one alcoholic beverage, followed by juice, soda or water. Drinking to excess at a company party will kill a career instantly. As a precautionary measure, line your stomach (with food that is) before you go. Make sure you at least have nibblies before you drink.

Don’t: Have more than two drinks. Alcohol tends to flush the face and loosen the tethers. Don’t be that person who looks as if they are about to regale people at any moment with their favorite showtunes, or to sneak off to the photocopy room and make pictures of their favorite body parts.

Designate someone to be your buddy

Do: Choose a buddy. Designate a friend to ensure you “ain’t misbehavin’”. One who can pull you aside if they feel you are about to enter the danger zone. Give them permission before the event to steer you out and into a cab. See above.

Don’t: Bring your own car keys unless you have pulled the short straw and get buddy duty for the night. See above, and above again.

Treat your clients like royalty

Do: Respect your clients and take care of them. If you have invited them, they are your responsibility. Make sure you introduce them to others. You must always introduce a client first to an internal person; ie. “Jason Smith, I’d like t to introduce you to our CEO, Cindy Jackson. Jason is Vice President of Finance at ABC Company and has been with the company for eight years. Cindy is CEO with our organization. ” Where you can, comment on what they both have in common, ie. same hometown, college, etc.

Don’t: Let clients languish socially. Work the room with them. If you don’t provide them with the networking opportunity the event provides, you may as well open the door and throw your future business under a bus… with you on its heels!

Your jokes are a reflection of who you are

Do: Be convivial and expressive but conduct yourself with decorum. Careful about the jokes you tell and their appropriateness. Be aware that you may not be in the office but company policies are in effect.

Don’t: Make comments with sexual innuendo, don’t take this opportunity to open a kissing booth and, whatever you do, hugs are fine but refrain from lengthy deep embraces with colleagues.

Be a good sport

Do: Be a good sport. If there is a dance contest, participate and draw others into the fun. Participating in karaoke may not showcase your best assets, especially if you sound like Neil Young trying to sing like Beyonce. Pick a tune that will least embarrass yourself.

Don’t: Subject the other guests to torture if your pets cry when you sing at home. Sing in a duo instead.

Other Things We Forgot We Knew

Do: Make a timely exit. Don’t be the person who feels they need to prop up the bar until the bitter end. Once people start to leave, take your cue. Remember to thank your host/hostess for their generosity.

Don’t: Complain. Remember, this is a fun occasion. Don’t whine about the food, service, venue, drinks, etc. The glass is always half-full on these occasions. Remind yourself that in today’s economy, many companies have opted out of Christmas parties. Don’t give them one more reason.

Do: Remember to enjoy the season’s festivities and take it upon yourself to bring cheer to others.

On behalf of myself and all the elves at The Usheroff Institute, I consider myself privileged to have crossed paths with you.
I wish you love, laughter and prosperity in the New Year.