When you’re attending a charity auction, whether live or silent, show colleagues, clients and prospects that you are professional and trustworthy both in and out of the office with a good attitude and impeccable behaviour.
“People [often] forget their manners when they leave the corporate corridors,” says Linda Allan, a certified management consultant in Toronto. “It’s important to remain positive, gracious and complimentary about everything that goes on [at the charity event].
Allan suggests following these tips to place your bids at charity auctions without misplacing your manners:
> Be courteous
Never make disparaging comments about the items included in the auction.
Always be complimentary, says Allan. You never know if the person who donated the item or someone who has a connection to it is within earshot.
> Take a step back
Make sure you give the display tables a wide berth so everyone can look at the donated items.
You don’t want to be seen as hogging space at a table or blocking someone’s view, says Allan.
As well, do not put any food or drink on the displays, she adds. The items for the auction have been carefully arranged for the event so you don’t want to leave stains or watermarks on the table.
> Avoid discussing business
Keep your conversation light during a social event such as a charity auction.
Avoid business talk wherever possible, says Allan, because someone can easily overhear sensitive information.
If someone does bring up business, try to wrap up the conversation as quickly and politely as possible, she says. Offer to meet the person for lunch or coffee at a later time to build rapport or to extend the relationship beyond the event if he or she is a prospective client.
For the most part, however, try to focus your conversation on the event itself, says Allan. Talk about the cause and the items for sale.
> Spend a little extra
Show your generous side when attending a charity auction.
There is an expectation when you attend a charity auction that you will spend money on more than just your ticket, says Allan. Always place a bid on at least one item and buy a few tickets if there is a raffle.
“You have to be seen as partaking [in the event], not just paying for a ticket and going for a meal,” says Allan. So, get involved and show that this is a special evening to raise money for a good cause.
> Keep the competition friendly
Although it’s good to have fun and get involved with the auction, be careful not to get carried away.
Sometimes people become competitive at silent auctions because they want something so much, says Allan, and they run back and forth to different tables to increase their bids.
While that behaviour adds some excitement to the evening, she says, you want to be sure you are still acting respectfully toward others.
IE