1. mfct 09/13
Introducing Yourself in a Business Context
1. Opening
A.“Hello. How are you?”
B.“I’m fine, thank you. And you?”
A.“My name is (first, last)”
“And yours?”
B.”My name is (first, last), nice to meet you”
2. Small talk (chit-chat)
Talk about the environment that you are in and why you both are there. If you are at work, speak
about why you are there and ask why the other person is there. Ask about the kind of work that the
other person does, what common business acquaintances you have, and why you both are in the same
place at that moment.
If you speak for more than a few minutes, you may move on to other topics like traveling, sports,
weather, vacations, family, etc., but stay on light topics. Avoid politics, religion, sex, war, money, etc.
3. Closing
“It is a pleasure to have met you, Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (last name).”
“And for me as well, Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (last name).”
Hints
Be positive, enthusiastic and confident
Maintain good eye contact
Good body language: open, but not slouchy
Be friendly, but don’t smile all the time
Repeat the other person’s name regularly in the conversation
Listen carefully and ask follow-up questions
Think of a ping-pong match: you ask a question…the other person asks a question…you ask a
question…and so on
Show genuine interest in the other person and what they are saying
Titles
Remember to use a title with the person’s last name. Use the first name of someone when they invite
you to do so, not before.
Mr. (mis ter): all men
Miss (mis): unmarried women
Mrs. (missiz): married women
Ms (miz): marital status unknown…generally preferred in the business environment unless the
woman indicates otherwise
Remembering names
Make an effort to remember the name of the person that you are interacting with by repeating the
name during the conversation and by asking for a business card. It is a great compliment to remember
someone’s name.
Handshakes
The length and firmness of a handshake varies from culture to culture. Americans often like a firm,
long handshake. The Europeans normally prefer a shorter, gentler handshake. Try to imitate the style
of the person with whom you are interacting.

2. mfct 09/13
Formula
>Every week two students are chosen at random.
>They meet for the first time in a professional setting (before a meeting, at a trade show,
at a conference…) using the following formula.
>The rest of the class evaluates the role-play, using the evaluation form.
"Hello/ Hi/Good morning/Good afternoon. My name is..."
"How do you do?" (= “enchanté”; reply:“how do you do”- Very formal)
"How are you?"/“How are you doing?” (Less formal)
"Fine. Thank you. And you?"
“My name is … (first name + last name/surname/family name)” + Title, position, business.
“Mine’s…./ I’m ….
“Nice to meet you/Pleased to meet you”
“Pleased to meet you too”
Introducing others:
“May I introduce you to…”/ I’d like to introduce you to…/ David, this is… Robert. Robert, this
is …./ Please meet…/ Joy, have you met…?/
Small talk (chit chat):
Start with the “how are you “ approach common acquaintances, weather, travelling, vacation,
family, sports, other light topics. Avoid politics, religion, sex, war, money, etc.
Ask questions. Ping-pong match.
Approach:
Take the initiative
Be positive and enthusiastic
Be confident
Keep good eye contact
Smile
Repeat the person's name regularly
Listen carefully and ask follow-up questions
Have "ice-breakers" ready
Keep the conversation light and friendly
Keep in mind:
 Using first names
 Remembering names
 Handshaking
 Titles: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms.
 Positioning (distance)