Frances and I threw a networking party last night. It was great fun and achieved what we set out to do: thank everyone who's made this first year in business so great, and give everyone we have the privelege of knowing, the chance to know each other. As it was my first party, the experience has given me some fresh insights into networking (in the same way that running your own business makes you better qualified to advise others wink wink).
Thanks to everyone who obeyed these rules and had fun with us.
1) Always respond to an RSVP It was SO annoying, when Roz had spent so long creating a beautiful invite, to find that people couldn't be bothered even saying no. It doesn't matter if you say no, it matters if you ignore the gesture of being invited. (Caveat on this: our invite was so fabulous it did get stuck in some people's spam filters..! so you lot are excused)
1a) If you didn't respond to an RSVP don't just bowl up There won't be enough food and drink and if its a seated affair you'll stuff it all up. The height of rudeness I reckon, to not acknowledge an RSVP and then bowl up on the night. It smacks of 'I didn't want to come and was holding out for better offers but none came so you'll do'. Well you won't do.
2) If you can't make it, tell your host We spent a fortune in Moore Wilsons and luckily our party went until midnight so it was all eaten. Would have been annoying otherwise. An apology, no matter how late, is better than not turning up
2a) If you don't apologise before, apologise after The next day is fine. Otherwise you're a no show and you ain't getting another invite.
3) Say thanks Ohmygosh it was so wonderful to get all the thank yous today. We were really touched. It's not hard to fire a quick email with 'thanks for putting on the event' - you don't have to say you enjoyed it, if you didn't, just acknowledge the effort and aspirations of your host.
Lots of other comments on the goings on at the event, will cover them separately!
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