Happy Hours

OK, so rubber chicken at lunch is not enough when it comes to making connections? Now we need to get out and drink in the early evening to make more connections?

Seriously, when you extend your networking strategy beyond lunchtime, you get into a different crowd. Let's face it, lunchtime isn't for everyone, what with busy schedules, errand running and people doing three and four jobs during work hours these days.

So, try a happy hour or two in your mix. Usually the format is two to three hours in length, it's standing up and walking around having five or ten-minute conversations with one person or small groups. And the topics are more open-ended and not just business topics. You'll meet more people and have more fun in a shorter time. Who knows, you might go on to dinner with some of the people you meet at the HH.

Some basic rules:

1. Try to limit your alcohol intact. A drink is fine, but know your limits.
2. Be polite. Listen more than talk.
3. Move around. Know when a conversation needs to end--or continue.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there are a number of Happy Hours that local groups hold, including:

• IABC Dallas Happy Hours, once a month, usually the third Wednesday (www.dallasiabc.com)
• DFW AMA Meet and Greets, once a month, usually the second Thursday (www.dfwama.com)
• NDCC AfterHours, quarterly (www.NDCC.org)

Have a good time and continue the connecting.

Relentless