Book: The 2-Hour Cocktail Party
By: Nick Gray
Reviewed by: Glain Roberts-McCabe
The Premise: In Nick Gray’s The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, the author outlines a proven method to build big relationships with small gatherings. We all know someone who’s highly connected and brings people together. Gray offers a pathway for YOU to be that person. Gray walks the reader through the basics of hosting a great gathering, the must-do logistics to set yourself up properly, as well as how to make your get-together a wild success. Through sharing his own personal experience of trying to build a network as he landed in a new city, to the mistakes made along the way, Gray’s “party planning with a purpose” strategy has allowed him to launch a multi-million dollar business and build relationships that have opened some big doors.
The Bottomline: One of the not-so-positive effects of dealing with a global pandemic has been the isolation and lack of connection has seemed to have atrophied our abilities to create connections. I speak to more and more leaders who feel disconnected and are looking to get outside of their organizations to connect with others more broadly. The challenge is, where do you begin? The go-to is the dreaded ‘networking event’. I don’t know about you, but clutching a warm glass of wine, while trying to make eye contact with people in order to engage in awkward small talk is not my idea of a fun Thursday night.
I think many of us miss in-person gatherings that are meaningful. Gray’s book is filled with really simple tips that anyone can do to create a powerful get-together. If you’re feeling like your professional (or personal) network needs some attention, check it out. The play-by-play Gray provides as well as the personal experience and stories of others, guarantees that even those of us who squirm at the thought of networking, can build community and connections in 2-hours with great outcomes. This book has inspired me to bring our extended Roundtable community together as well. We’ll be holding The Roundtable Reunion at Sweat & Tonic following Nick’s 2-Hour cocktail party model. If you’re an Alum of our programs, watch your in-basket for your exclusive invitation. I promise, it won’t be awkward and you’ll meet some spectacular people.
Recommendation: This is a great book for anyone who is looking to extend their network in a meaningful way. It’s also great if you just want to know how to throw a better party for a group of strangers. Your network is your net-worth, so make the investment if yours is languishing.
