Tis Almost The Season for Merry Social Networking. Five Ways To Head Off The Business Bah Humbugs.

Despite the Scrooges already shoveling coal for our stockings, we Americans are a resilient sort. Let the corporations cut back on their festivities. Let the bubbly turn to brew, the shrimp turn to sausage, the Black Ties turn to black T’s. Our parties must go on.

But for those looking to these merry months as a never-ending source of business opportunities and shrewd social networking, beware of mixing Mistletoe martinis with clients new and old. Can you spot the red flags amidst the green? Here are five ways to head off the Holiday Bah Humbugs:

1. Give it a rest. (At least sometimes)

That potential client you’ve been dying to meet is standing at the buffet table, eying the sushi. Another prospect is happily greeting a group of friends. And another is headed toward the rest room. You’re thinking: “Now’s my chance!” In these recessionary times, it’s difficult not to leap into full court press when faced with a room full of possibility and prodigious amounts of alcohol. But sometimes it’s best to hang back and observe. Did that client just arrive and he’s starving after skipping lunch? How will he feel if you barge over with your business card? Maybe the other client hasn’t seen her buddies in months. Will she want to be interrupted by someone whose sole mission is pushing her own business? And the rest room. Well, duh.

2. Shameless Promotion and Sacred Do Not Mix.

Never forget that sprinkled among the party-hearty revelers are those who regard Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice as sacred. These faithful souls are not likely to take kindly to non-stop business chatter or cards offered along with holiday greetings. This is true for mailings, emailing’s, gifts or festivities. Don’t think you can easily spot those most apt to be offended. Why not be sensitive to one and all?

3. Give The Gift of Friendship (Not Friend Requestship).

We love our virtual friends and the exploding world of social networking. But just as one of the Presidential candidates drove us batty with endless insincere “My friends”, now is the time to be a real friend. People are losing their jobs, contracts, houses, health insurance and self-esteem. Let our gifts this year be kind and loving gestures — not tweets and pings.

4. Honor the Culture Mash.

I continue to be annoyed at the namby-pampy word ‘holiday’ that’s such a cowardly attempt at being politically correct. If it’s a Christmas Party, call it that. If it’s a Kwanzaa celebration, call it that. My favorite comes from those trend-setting folks at the OC: ChrismukKuh. Let’s have (as our new President calls himself) a Mutt-Mas, a party that mashes all our cultures into one wild multi-cultural shebang.

5. Schedule Some Silent Nights.

Rather than schedule frenzied Fa-La-Las, how about planning some quiet times and if clients are involved, declare a No Business Zone. Carving out some time to just ‘be’ keeps us sane — and may actually be a better business plan in the long run. No one wants to listen to or keep up a non-stop tap dance. There is peace in the quiet. Or plan the celebration around music and simply shut the heck up.

I’d love to hear your ideas.