10 THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T DO AT CORPORATE EVENTS

1. Arrive Too Late To Network
 You don't necessarily have to arrive 'before' time to the event but that's what will give you 30-60 minutes with people in their free time, same people who wouldn't give you an appointment when you try to meet with them in their office.

2. Talk To People During A Presentation
When you get to an event late, you shouldn't talk to people during the presentation in a bid to do the networking you missed because they are focusing on what is being said. You should wait till after the presentation, maybe during a break to do the networking you missed earlier.

3. Do Online Networking Instead Of Talking To People At The Event
 Addiction to social networking is common to people but stay away from FB, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social medias. Meet and network with real people at the event instead of collecting their social media handle and chatting with them when they are right there with you.

4. Casual Talk With An Open Mic
If you happen to be one of the people who was on stage wearing a lapel mic, you should remember to switch off the mic before expressing your private opinions about others who were on stage with you.

5. Fall Asleep During A Presentation
 A full 39% participants at a meeting concede to dozing off during a meeting, much less during a presentation, where the entire focus is on one person. It might end up a fiasco when people around notice you're snoozing.

6. Forget What You Have To Say During A Presentation
 A brain freeze in the middle of a presentation is not the kind of PR you want but it will make good for YouTube or TV coverage which won't make people take you seriously. It's better if you carry handy notes and slides with you, so you don't forget your train of thought.

7. Leave Before You Network
 If you're in a hurry to leave after the event, it's best you don't because that will be the best time to network. You'll meet serious prospects who will be interested in your business.

8. Be The First In Line For Lunch
 Being the first in line for lunch shouldn't be the type of top ranking you're aiming for. While people are networking or checking out project demos in exhibition areas, you're waiting in line for the buffet. That shouldn't be the message you're sending out to people.

9. Try To Close A Sale On The First Meeting
 If you try to close a deal on the first day, you'll come off as a pushy salesperson which won't be good for your brand. Instead, events are for networking, you get to meet potential investors or clients. You promote your brand  and yourself as a business authority.

10. Forget To Follow Up Afterwards With People You Met At The Event
 All the work you did meeting people, collecting cards and adding as fans on social media is a waste when you don't follow up. The follow up doesn't have to be anything special. You could send a mail re-introducing yourself and your business. Reminding them that you met at an event and maybe asking to fix a meeting to discuss business