December: The MOST Important Month For Your Career And Business

Many business experts will tell you that for non-seasonal businesses, December is a slow time.  A time to take it easy and focus on planning for the new year.

I disagree

Many career experts and recruiters will tell you that December is a bad time for your career.

I think that's complete nonsense.

Many job seekers often think about taking a break or 'disappearing' during December.

Big mistake.

In fact, it's the complete opposite - December is actually the most important month in your calendar.

Why?

It's all about relationships

Because managing careers is all about managing relationships. Relationships with your co-workers, team, clients, strategic partners, stakeholders, your boss and your boss's boss.

For job seekers, your success will have a lot to do with your relationships with recruiters, ex-colleagues, ex-clients, professional contacts and friends.

And managing any business is all about relationships. Relationships with employees, clients, strategic partners, vendors, counter parties, banks, accountants etc.

December represents the best opportunity to reconnect with these people in any number of informal settings and strengthening those relationships.

Anyone can send cards, emails or texts. But in world suffering from information load, the precious commodity is time and attention. I mean, who needs more post to open or more emails to sift through..?

Gift your time and attention

On the run up to christmas people are much more open to meeting up than at other times of year.

When I was a recruiter there was always a direct correlation between the level of social activity you engaged in with clients during December and the number of business opportunities you'd attract in the first quarter of the new year.

Why?

Because when you spend time with people you stay in the front of their mind. When you spend time with people socially you build a bond of trust, which again creates opportunities.

Fill up your diary

My diary through December (as usual) is already getting pretty full with dinners, drinks, lunch, coffees - most of which I've instigated.

Not because I 'want' something - but because December and the run up to christmas is a great time to reconnect with people I maybe haven't seen for a while.

And sitting around in cafes and bars (on comfy sofas of course!) - just chatting and catching up with people is fun. And it's not really work.

So the fact that it's good for my career and business is just a great bonus!

How about you...?

December is the very best time of year to reconnect with people and cement relationships. Relationships that have helped you in the past and will no doubt help you in the future. But only if you invest time and nurture them.

The next few week represent a one-off annual opportunity to nurture those relationships. So be merry and ensure you don't waste it by 'disappearing'....

By Sital Ruparelia

Comments

[Sanjeev Sharma]

I could not agree more with what you have to say. If I have to generalize, I would say that any big festival or holiday time is the best one for career and relationship building. The time of the year could vary depending on what part of the globe one is - In the US and Europe it could December, in India it is Oct / Nov because of Diwali and perhaps in the Arab world it would be during the Eid festivities which again is sometime around Sep / Oct.

It would therefore not be incorrect to say that dear Santa not only brings goodies, but also opportunities for the corporate ladder climber or business person to build better relationships that one can "encash" in the coming year!

Also with the kind of hectic life and mad rush that everyone is in, it is the only time of the year when one is able to renew and reaffirm friendships, relationships and all "otherships" - and hence not an opportunity that one should miss at all.

[Gwen Welch-Counts]

I couldn't agree with you more, Christmas time is a very good time to rekindle old flames even in the business world, that's letting one know that you are still in business and looking forward to doing business with that individual/company in the upcoming year.

[Head Hunters Philippines]

Absolutely correct!You really did think of that and planned it.We can't deny the fact that even workaholics do unite and strengthen their relationships to others most especially to those they work with.That article did openend my mind in the importance of getting someone's attention and putting them to good use.Establishing good relationship to others always do have good results.Just like another part of marketing where anyone would want their product to be on top of mind of their buyers and potential customers.Thanks for the great and wonderful idea.Happy holidays everyone.