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setting can be gauche.) The most vital tool in their party pack is a small
pad and pen to keep track of important contacts.
Why Is the Party Being Given?
The politicians perpetual philosophy of penetrate the ostensible enters
here. (Thats just a fancy way of saying look under the rug.) They ask
themselves, What is the ostensible reason for the party? A big
industrialist is giving his daughter a graduation party? A newly divorced
executive is throwing himself a birthday bash? A floundering business is
celebrating its tenth year?
Nice, politicians say to themselves, thats the ostensible. But whats the
real reason for the party? Maybe the industrialist wants to get his
daughter a good job so hes invited dozens of potential employers. The
birthday boy is single again so the guest list is heavy with attractive and
accomplished females. The business deperately needs good PR if its
going to stay around another ten years. So theyve invited the press and
community makers and shakers.
Politicians have expert under-rug vision to spot the hosts real agenda.
They will, of course, never discuss it at the party. However, the insight
elevates them to a shared state of higher cosciousness with other heavy
hitters at the bash.
Their knowledge also makes them valuable agents for the party giver.
A savvy politician introduces the job-seeking daugter to some executives
at the party or tells the most alluring women at the bash what a great guy
birthday boy is. When chatting with reporters, he talks up the hosts
business that needs good PR. When people support the real why of the
party, they become popular and sought-after guests for future events.
Where Is the Collective Mind?
Often people from one profession or one interest group will coprise
most of the guest list. A politician never accepts any invittion without
asking herself, What kind of people will be at this party, and what will
they be thinking about? Perhaps there will be a drove of doctors. So she
clicks on the latest medical headlines and rehearses a little doc-talk. If
the guests are a nest of new-age voters, the politician gets up to speed on
telepathic healing, Tantric toning, and trance dancing. Politicians cant
afford to not be in the know.
How Am I Going to Follow Up on the Party?
Now, the big finale. I call it Contact Cement. Its cementing the
contacts the politician has made. After meeting a good contact and
exchanging cards, practically everyone says, Its been great talking to you.
Well stay in touch.
This good intention seldom happens without herculean effort.
Politicians, however, make a science out of keeping up the cotact. After
the party, they sit at their desks and, like a game of soltaire, lay out the
business cards of the people theyve met. Using
How to Work a Party Like a Politician Works a Room 269
The Business Card Dossier technique described later in this setion,
they decide how, when, and if to deal with each. Does this person require
a phone call? Should that one receive a handwriten note? Shall I E-mail
or call the other one?
Use the Six-Point Party Checklistthe Who? When? Why? Where?
What? and How? of a partyas your general game plan. Now lets get down
to specifics.
How to Avoid the Most Common Party Blooper
The average party goer, lets say Charlie, arrives at the bash. He makes
a beeline for the refreshment table for munchies and a beerage. He then
finds a few buddies and starts chatting away with them.
Chewing the nibbles on his plate and the fat with his friends, he
occasionally looks around the room to see who might be new and fun to
talk to. Hes hoping several attractive and interesting people at the party
will spot him and come over to talk.
Whats wrong with Charlies approach? Everything, if Chalie wants to
make the party productive. Lets start with the aveage party goers first
mistakegetting some refreshments and a drink right off the bat.
People mingling at a party make judgments, often subcoscious, about
whom they are going to approach. Have you ever lived on a farm? Or had
a dog or a cat? Then you know you never disturb animals when they are
eating. Likewise, when a human animal is eating, other human animals do
not feel comfortable advancing. If party goers eyes scan the crowd and
see you with the feed bag on, they pass right over you. Subconsciously
theyre saying to themselves, Let the hungry hound chow down and
270
How to Avoid the Most Common Party Blooper 271
maybe well talk later. Later never comes because they wind up
making friends with someone else whose mouth wasnt full.
Politicians always eat before they come to the party. They know theyd
need a circus jugglers talent to shake hands, exchange business cards,
hold a drink, and stuff crackers and cheese into their mouthsall with just
two hands.
Technique #71
Munching or Mingling
Politicians want to be eyeball to eyeball and belly to belly with their
constituents. Like any big winner well versed in the science of proxemics
and spatial relationships, they know any object except their belt buckle
has the effect of a brick wall between two people. Therefore they never
hold food or drink at a party.
Come to munch or come to mingle. But do not expect to do both. Like
a good politician, chow down before you come.
How to Make an Unforgettable Entrance
Loretta Young makes television history when she appears at the head
of her immense staircase and surveys the set. Then she swoops down to
start the show.
The Pope steps out onto his balcony overlooking St. Peters Square in
Rome and surveys the crowd. Then he begins the benediction.
Bette Davis stops in the doorway and looks around. Then she mutters,
What a dump!
And every late-night TV comic since Heeeeres Johnny! steps center
stage and scrutinizes the applauding audience. Then he reveals the reason
for the smirk on his face.
What do all these great entrances have in common? Each pauses
momentarily and looks around before swooping into decsive action.
Movie directors love shots of THE DOORWAY where the camera
pans, the music swells, and all eyes gravitate to the hocho or honchoette
standing under the frame. Does the star skulk into the room like a
frightened little kitten in a new owners home? Or, like many of us do at a
party, frantically gravitate to the first familiar face so people wont think [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]