“Survival Guide to NeoCon”The Business of Furniture- 6/08/16 EditionStephen Says Column

 Survival Guide to NeoCon

 
 Normally, I devote this column each week to your questions. This week, I received so many emails about NeoCon protocol I decided to combine them and supply my answers in this guide.
 
 I got lots of emails from manufacturer's reps excited about getting face time (real face time, not the phone kind) between pre-NeoCon sales meetings and being in the showroom with their bosses. There were questions from independent reps looking for new lines and tons of messages from architects and designers who are going to be in Chicago on behalf of their clients and firms. As you might expect, there were also questions from dealers and salespeople about meeting with clients and manufacturers. If I could only give one piece of advice, it would be this: Make the best impression possible, while keeping one eye open for that dream job.
 
 I spend part of each of my month living in Chicago, taping the workplace segments I do for Steve Harvey's hit NBC TV show where I am the resident workplace expert. I live in NYC, but I relish the one week a month I get to spend in Chicagoland. NeoCon is a particularly exciting time of year to be in Chicago—at least for me, anyway. If you follow my guide, it will be a great time for you, too.
 
 Without further ado, here are my tips and why they are important:
 

 Looking good

 It seems so simple and obvious, but present yourself as best as possible. That means something more than just looking good—although that's important, too. The things I'm talking about are making sure you give a firm handshake, and repeating both your first and last name to everyone you meet. You have a last name right? We are seeing lots of people at once, you want to be sure people remember you. Do not assume anyone remembers you.
 
 Another huge help is your badge. Check it several times a day to be sure it is facing the right way, especially if you work for a manufacturer. Be sure that the tag they give you is visible. I wish manufacturers would make the print size on those little badges larger so everyone could read them, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
 Also, please no more denim shirts or uniforms. You make furniture! It's not McDonald's! One time I walked into Janus et Cie, and they had smocks on. I thought they were going to give me a prostate exam. Another prominent manufacturer had everyone wear blue denim shirts like a Jiffy Lube.
 
 Dress for what you do. Present yourself well, and don't forget to smile.
 

 Staying put, cell phones and Starbucks

 If you are a manufacturer's rep, stay in your showroom for most of the day. Your customers will be in and out sporadically, and you should make sure to get as much face time with those in town from corporate. I hate walking in while you're out chatting with your friend at the competitors, and so do your clients and bosses.
 
 Stay off your cell phones and stop walking around the showroom with a Starbucks cup in your hand—you make the place look like a used car dealership. Don't be talking about your hangover from last night. No one wants to hear it. Which reminds me, check your breath and have some mints on
 hand. And, please, send me a picture of anyone you see chewing gum.
 

The shoe factor

 
 Here's a simple one for everyone: Polish your shoes. They have shoe shine people in the lobby — tip them generously. Airports and
 hotels do it, too, so no excuses. I will be looking!
 

 Blah, blah, blah

 
 One thing I know before I get to NeoCon is I will be bored with your small talk. Each year, over and over I hear: "Where are you staying?" It might be fun to judge someone by where they stay, but it gets old fast. I always tell people they look thinner, even though they rarely do. Everyone loves to hear that. And while we are on the topic of where you are staying, watch how the "dealers" always stay in the most expensive hotels.
 

 Elevator etiquette

 Do not overfill elevator cars. Re- lated: Use deodorant and breath mints. Every time I get on an elevator, I put in a breath mint and double check my badge is facing with my men forward. I am my own brand and like to think of myself as a walking billboard. You should, too.
 

 Let them see you wash up

 
 Those of you who are not in the habit of washing your hands in the restroom — you know who you are — need to remember you have a name tag on, and your customers and bosses are watching you. Seems silly to have to say, but the stories I have heard about this subject have affected people's jobs.
 

 No job shopping

  Unless you are unemployed, NeoCon is not the time to sneak around and be interviewing. Trust me, you will be overheard or caught. There are just too many people with too many connections walking around. It's not worth it. If some company is too cheap to fly you in at another time for an interview, you do not want to be working for them anyway.
 

 Models are a big miss.

  I am personally tired of the com- panies who hire professional models to lure people into their show- room. What's the matter? Are your people too ugly or is your product? This is not a car show. That being said food, candy, popcorn, water and a charging station for my smartphone will get me there every time. Smartphone charging stations are being provided by the Mart this year in the lobby.
 

 Walking and talking at the same time

Speaking of smartphones, no walking and talking on your cell phone. Look and act professional. You're not a teenager. We are all listening, even when you think we are not. If you're walking around, always have business cards. Have them in every pocket. If you want to find someone you only see once a year, be sure to find them. Sometimes you think you won't be able to, but they'll crop up somewhere. Bonus tip: Careful on Tinder, Grindr and Match.com — social media in general, really. NeoCon is big, but the industry is small. I have heard about many people meeting and hooking up on these social media sites only to find out in the morning their new friend is someone from the same company they work for or a customer. It happens. You can wait three days.
 

 Finally

enjoy the show and be sure to stop by and see me! I will be live tweeting my adventures during the convention and showing up on TV, so I will want to hear how your NeoCon is going. Follow and tweet @StephenVis- cusi and #WorkplaceGuru. You also can follow my adventures on The Viscusi Group Facebook page. "Like" us for a free resume template. Want a new job or just some career advice on how to ask for your next raise? The team from The Viscusi Group and I will see you anytime we can while in Chicago, compl ments of BOF. Thanks for reading and see you next week. Track me down during NeoCon at Stephen@ viscusigroup.com.

 
 Stephen

 You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at: StephenSays@bellow.press
 
Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the subject: Stephen Says for all emails. Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group, global executive recruiters located in New York. Follow Stephen on Twitter @WorkplaceGuru, Like Stephen on Facebook; and follow him on LinkedIn.