Intracorporation events are usually somewhat of a drag, but I often feel a need to make an appearance, if nothing else to help my friends in the company get through it.
Industry events are another thing, though. Over the years I’ve learned which to attend and which to avoid. Usually I enjoy the ones I attend, sometimes immensely. They’re networkin’ enchiladas, and I’m a handshakin’, chat you up sort. A lot of the people I see are long time acquaintance or friends, and there’s always a lot to talk about and learn.
And I certainly don’t sweat having a few drinks at one of those.
Honestly, the corporate banquet testimonial speech is the last flowering of the Organization Man. The poor bastard no longer gets lifelong employment and paternalistic benefit care, but there he is, still talking (and, Og forbid, thinking) in buzzwords, buzzconcepts, and buzzsentiments.
I help organize corporate events. The last 3 CEOs I heard address a company seemed to follow these basic rules:
Never talk about the product you sell.
Never talk about the customers you profess to serve.
Use as much abstract language and cardboard cut-out ideas as possible.
It got me wondering what kind of deep, tenacious mediocrity an individual must cultivate to rise in business leadership today.