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@... or visit her web site
http://www.mannersthatsell.com
