The end of the year is near. Sales targets are wrapping up, teams are finalizing deals, and the holiday season is in full swing. For many, December feels like a time to slow down.

But for Sales VPs, this month holds a unique opportunity. The holiday season offers valuable moments to connect, build relationships, and set the stage for a strong year ahead.

Holiday networking is different. It is less formal, more relaxed, and often filled with good cheer. People are more open, more reflective, and more willing to engage. Let’s explore how you can make the most of these opportunities to connect and grow.

The Power of Holiday Networking

December is not just about wrapping up the year. It is about reflecting, connecting, and preparing for the future. Many companies and sales leaders use this time to plan for the next year. This is your chance to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones.

Holiday networking allows you to:

Reconnect with old contacts.
Deepen relationships with current clients.
Meet new prospects in a relaxed setting.
Share insights and learn from peers.

People are often more willing to have casual, open conversations in December. The pressure of quarterly targets is easing, and the festive mood makes people more approachable.

1. Attend Industry Holiday Events

December is packed with holiday mixers, end-of-year meetups, and industry parties. These events are golden opportunities to connect with other sales leaders, clients, and potential partners.

Notable Events for Sales VPs:

Sales 3.0 Conference Holiday Edition: Focuses on cutting-edge sales strategies and offers opportunities to mingle with top sales professionals.
The Sales Enablement Soirée: A networking event for sales leaders and enablement professionals.
LinkedIn Local Holiday Meetups: Casual local gatherings to connect with professionals in your area.
RevGenius Virtual Holiday Bash: An online event connecting sales professionals from all over the world.
AA-ISP Sales Leadership Holiday Mixer: Specifically for inside sales leaders, offering a relaxed way to meet peers and discuss trends.

How to Make the Most of Events:

Set Clear Goals: Do you want to meet new prospects? Reconnect with old contacts? Go in with a purpose.
Be Authentic: Holiday events are social. Focus on genuine conversations, not just pitches.
Follow Up: After the event, send a personal message. A simple note like, "Great chatting with you at the event! Let’s stay in touch," can keep the door open.

2. Host a Holiday Get-Together

If you cannot find the right event, create one. Host a holiday get-together for your key clients, partners, and peers.

Why This Works:

You Control the Guest List: Invite the people you want to build relationships with.
Personal Touch: Hosting shows generosity and thoughtfulness.
Relaxed Atmosphere: A casual event lowers barriers and fosters real connections.

It does not have to be fancy. A simple coffee gathering, a lunch, or a virtual hangout can work wonders.

3. Send Thoughtful Holiday Greetings

A personalized holiday message can leave a lasting impression. This is not about generic cards or emails. Make it meaningful.

Tips for Effective Holiday Greetings:

Make It Personal: Mention something specific about your relationship or their achievements this year.
Be Genuine: Share your appreciation for their partnership.
Offer Value: Include a resource, insight, or invitation to connect in the new year.

Example: "Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! I appreciated our collaboration on [Project] this year. Let’s catch up in January and talk about how we can achieve even more next year."

LinkedIn becomes more reflective and community-focused in December. Sales leaders are posting about their achievements, lessons, and plans for the next year.

How to Leverage LinkedIn:

Share Your Reflections: Post about what you learned this year and your goals for the future.
Comment Thoughtfully: Engage with posts from peers, clients, and prospects.
Reach Out Directly: Send connection requests with a short, personal note.

This is the time to be seen as a thoughtful, engaged leader.

5. Offer to Help

During the holidays, people reflect on challenges and opportunities. Offer your help or insights.

Ways to Offer Help:

Share Useful Resources: Articles, reports, or tools that might benefit them.
Offer a Call: A brief, no-pressure chat to discuss their goals for the next year.
Connect People: Introduce contacts who might benefit from knowing each other.

Helping builds goodwill and trust. It shows that you care about their success.

6. Reflect and Plan for 2024

Holiday networking is not just about others. It is also about you. Reflect on your year. What worked well? What challenges did you face? How can you improve in 2024?

Key Questions to Ask Yourself:

Who do I need to reconnect with?
What relationships need strengthening?
What new connections do I want to make?

Create a plan to turn these reflections into actions.

7. Do Not Forget Your Team

Your sales team also needs connection and motivation. The holidays are a chance to show appreciation and build morale.

Ideas to Connect with Your Team:

Celebrate Wins: Highlight achievements from the year.
Personal Thank-You Notes: A heartfelt message to each team member.
Team-Building Events: A holiday lunch, party, or virtual hangout.

A motivated team will hit the ground running in January.

Make December Count

December may feel like the end of the year, but it is also the beginning of new opportunities. Holiday networking allows you to connect, reflect, and prepare for growth. Small efforts now can lead to big wins later.

How Distrobird Can Help You Stay Connected

Networking is about building relationships. Keeping track of those relationships can be challenging, especially during the busy holiday season. This is where Distrobird can help.

Centralized Communication: All your emails, calls, and messages in one place.
Automated Follow-Ups: Never forget to follow up with a new contact.
Smart Call Management: Log and manage your calls effortlessly.
Insights and Analytics: Understand who you are connecting with and where opportunities lie.

Distrobird helps you stay organized, responsive, and connected. Whether you are attending events, sending greetings, or planning for the next year, Distrobird ensures nothing slips through the cracks.

Make the most of your holiday networking. With Distrobird, you are ready to grow, connect, and succeed in 2024.

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Editors

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Holiday Networking for Sales VPs: Opportunities to Connect and Grow in December

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