Successfully Meeting And Greeting - Ten Strategies For Getting
Off To A Good Start
A day in the life of every businessperson is made up of a series
of meetings and greetings. Whether you are making the initial
contact with a client or a colleague, you want to get off on the
right foot. Doing so will make the first encounter and
subsequent ones go smoothly and easily. Getting off on the
wrong foot can make for a difficult recovery. Save your energy
for later and use these simple strategies for a successful start
1. Stand up when you meet someone. This allows you to engage
the person on an equal level -eye to eye. By remaining seated,
you send a message that you don't think the other person is
important enough to warrant the effort it takes to stand. If
you find yourself in a position where you can't stand up (such as
being trapped behind a potted plant) offer an apology and an
explanation. You might say something like, "Please excuse me
for not getting up. I can't seem to get around the foliage."
2. Smile. Your facial expression says more than your words.
Look as if you are pleased to meet the other person regardless
of what is on your mind. Put a smile on your face for the person
standing before you.
3. Make eye contact. Looking at the people you meet says you
are focused and interested in them. If you are staring off
somewhere else, you may appear to be looking for someone more to
your liking to come along.
4. Introduce yourself immediately. As soon as you approach
people you don't know or are approached by them, say who you are.
Don't stand around as if someone else is in charge of
introductions.
5. Include a statement about who you are when necessary. It is
not always enough to say, "Hello, I'm Mary Jones." Give more
information. "Hello, I'm Mary Jones. I work for XYZ Corporation."
6. Offer a firm handshake. Extend your hand as you give your
greeting. The person who puts a hand out first comes across as
confident and at ease. Make sure that this physical part of your
greeting is professional. Don't offer bone-crushing grips or
wimpy limp-wristed shakes. If you are confused about men and
women shaking hands, don't be. There once was a time when women
didn't shake hands with men. We are past that. Everyone in
business shakes hands with everyone else.
7. Learn how to make smooth introductions. In business you
always introduce less important people to more important people.
The way to do this is to say the name of the more important
person first, followed by the words "I'd like to introduce..."
and then give the other person's name. Be sure to add something
about each person so they will know why they are being
introduced and will have some information with which to start a
conversation.
8. Know who the more important person is. The client or the
business prospect is more important than your boss. Just hope
your boss agrees.
9. Pay attention to names when you meet people. It is all too
common to be thinking about what you are going to say next and
not focus on the other person. If you concentrate and repeat
the name as soon as you hear it, you stand a better chance of
remembering it later.
10. Use first names of people whom you have just met only after
they give you permission. Not everyone wants to be addressed
informally on the initial encounter. It is better to err on the
side of formality than to offend the other person right off the
bat.
Your goal within the first few minutes of meeting other people
is to make them feel comfortable and to put them ease so they
will want to do business with you. When you are confident of the
rules for those critical initial encounters, you will have a
solid start for long-term profitable relationships.
(c) 2004, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional
speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL -
ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or
featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily,
Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more
information about her programs, products and services, e-mail
her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.
mannersthatsell.com
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