9.5 Practice Social Event In Class Assignment

Overview

One of the biggest struggles for students in Communications classes, is public engagement. Beyond public speaking, social small talk niceties are a source of confusion and uncertainty for a generation that has lived much of life online. The idea of corporate parties, small talk, how to act at workplace social events is a struggle and fear for them. This activity allows for them to practice those skills in a simulated and safer environment. It can be tied to lectures on networking and office dynamics.

Grade

This assignment works well at 5% of in class activities, or quiz equivalent grade.

Learning Outcomes

-Improve professional social skills

Practice active listening, and overall professional communication skills

Increase confidence

Simulate real world practical experiences

What is needed

A conference room that can be set up for a end of the year party atmosphere

2-4 other faculty or school workers to act as upper management

Snacks such as granola bars, small individually wrapped goodies

Optional: music on low

Activity

This activity simulates a business party/function. You can create any sort of company, a telecom company works well for this event. This event takes place over class time but in a conference room on campus to allow for more space. Every student will be assigned a job at the company and a task tied to the social event (have to leave early, try to track down someone working in a particular department, take photos for the newsletter etc). You, the instructor, and 2-4 other faculty or college employees willing to help you will act as Upper Management or a Board of Directors at the fake event. Each student must dress in business casual, talk to at least 10 other students, and at least half of the Upper Management as well as complete the specialized task they have been assigned.

You and the people helping out are there to help guide conversation, nudge students into small talk, model the behaviour.

The event lasts 30-50 minutes depending on the size of the class.

After the event students must self grade, based on a provided rubric and discuss what they gained from the experience.

Student Perspective (written by Business Student and Research Assistant Charlotte MacLean)

Going into the networking party, I wasn’t really nervous about it. I felt like I already knew how to talk to people in a group setting and that I would know what to say. I didn’t prep much for it, but I definitely did look up some conversation starters before. Afterwards, I felt that I had wished I had done more prep and played into my job role more. Looking back on it, I kept thinking of what I was going to say next instead of actively listening to what the other person had to say. I struggle with small talk sometimes, as most of us do, but it’s a great skill to have in life and the workplace. Even if you really hate small talk, everyone there is trying to talk to as many people as they can, so it feels very welcoming and not as scary as it sounds.

The networking party was overall a great experience because it allowed everyone to meet new people. I felt like I had actually built connections from this exercise by making new friends and talking to my classmates. It was a good opportunity to practice my communication skills by stepping out of my comfort zone and going up to people to engage in conversation.

Compared to a report, a networking event offers real-time feedback and encouragement. The faculty members are awesome at letting you know what you’re doing right in the conversation. You can also build personal connections with people, while writing is better for structured thinking. The exposure of a networking party is to help you gain better public speaking skills for direct access to potential internships/jobs. A report enhances your written skills, but in the business world, it’s important to learn how to connect socially.

Sample Jobs and Requirements

President

You Automatically Succeed At Two Columns And The Bonus Mark On The Rubric But Must Talk To Every Board Member

VP Finance

You Automatically Succeed At One Column On The Rubric And The Bonus Mark But Must Talk To At Least Three Board Members

VP Marketing

You Automatically Succeed At One Column On The Rubric And The Bonus Mark But Must Talk To At Least Three Board Members

VP People And Culture

You Automatically Succeed At One Column On The Rubric And The Bonus Mark But Must Talk To At Least Three Board Members

VP Sales

You Automatically Succeed At One Column On The Rubric And The Bonus Mark But Must Talk To At Least Three Board Members

Manager Payroll

You Are New Must Shadow The VP Finance For Most Of Your Time There

Manager Accounts Receivable

You Need To Pretend Your Phone Rings And You Have To Answer While Talking To A Group

Manager Accounts Payable

You Have To Carry Something In One Of Your Hands At All Times

Manager People And Culture

You Have To Ask At Least Four People If They Are Enjoying The Event

Manager Marketing

You Have To Make Sure That You Speak To The Chief Brand Officer

Manager Marketing

You Have To Ask 2 Groups Of People If You Can Take Their Picture For The Newsletter

Manager Sales

You Have To Carry Something In One Of Your Hands At All Times

Manager Sales

You Have To Carry Something In One Of Your Hands At All Times

Manager Consumer Solutions

You Have To Carry Something In One Of Your Hands At All Times

Chief Technology Officer

You Have To Check Your Phone And Complain About The Wifi Signal In The Space

Chief Information Officer

Ask 4 People If They Will Take Part In A Staff Survey Next Month

Chief Brand Officer

You Are Trying To Avoid The Marketing Manager

Chief Legal And Governance Officer

You Have To Check Your Email Multiple Times While Talking To People, Explaining You Are Waiting For A Time Sensitive Communication

Payroll Clerk

You Have To Make Sure You Talk To The VP Of Finance

Payroll Clerk

You Have To Carry Something In One Of Your Hands At All Times

Payroll Clerk

You Have To Leave After 20 Minutes To Pick Up Your Kid

Marketing Staff

You Have To Mention To Someone That You Should Have A Meeting Next Week

Marketing Staff

You Have To Carry Something In One Of Your Hands At All Times

Marketing Staff

You Have To Check On The Interns Ask What Social Media They Use

People And Culture Staff

You Have To Leave In Twenty Minutes To Pick Up Your Kid

People And Culture Staff

You Have To Check On The Interns And See If They Are Feeling Welcome At The Event

Legal And Governance Staff

You Have To Make Sure You Talk To The VP People And Culture

People And Culture Staff

You Have To Make Sure You Talk To The VP Legal And Governance

Legal And Governance Staff

You Have To Ask A Board Member For Their Business Card

Communications And Brand Staff

You Have To Talk To Someone In Marketing About Meeting Next Week For An Idea You Have

Communications And Brand Staff

You Have To Talk To Someone In People And Culture

Communications And Brand Staff

You Have To Carry Something In One Of Your Hands At All Times

Executive Assistant

You Must Stay By The President’s Side The Whole Time

Executive Assistant

You Have To Awkwardly Answer A Phone Call When Talking To Someone

Executive Assistant

You Have To Ask 3 People If They Are Having A Good Time

Executive Assistant

You Have To Excuse Yourself From A Conversation To Go Check On The Food Tables

Consumer Solutions Staff

Talk To Someone In Legal

Consumer Solutions Staff

You Must Carry Your Phone And Check The Time Regularly

Office Admin

Ask A Group If Anyone Needs Anything

Consumer Solutions Staff

You Have To Check Your Email Multiple Times While Talking To People, Explaining You Are Waiting For A Time Sensitive Communication

Intern/Co-Op Student

You Are Determined To Hustle And Impress And Must Find 2 VPs To Talk To

Intern/Co-Op Student

You Are Broke And Mostly Hover By The Food Table To Score Free Snacks

Rubric

Talked to the appropriate number of people: Did Not Accomplish/Half Accomplished/Fully Accomplished

Met the clothing requirements: Did Not Accomplish/Half Accomplished/Fully Accomplished

Met the specific job condition: Did Not Accomplish/Half Accomplished/Fully Accomplished

Discussion Question: Write a few sentences about how the experience felt and what was gained from it