Making a good first impression

Making a good first impression
Making a good impression on new business contacts is important as it means that the other person will take you seriously from the beginning, and feel comfortable doing business with you.
Greetings
How do you greet someone when you first meet them? Do you kiss their cheek, "airkiss" (kiss the air next to their cheek), hug, squeeze their arm, or shake their hand? The choice of greeting is confusing to many British people who, up until recently, would shake hands in a business context and only kiss close friends or relatives.
Social kissing has become more common in British business culture over the last few years (especially between people who already have a business relationship). However, it is better to give a firm handshake when you meet someone for the first time. This is particularly true when you meet people from cultures where social kissing is not generally practised.
Introducing yourself
(In order of formality)
- How do you do? (With a falling intonation.)
(Correct response is "How do you do?" also with a falling intonatin.)
- Pleased to meet you. I'm …
- Nice to meet you. I'm …
- Hello. I'm…
- Hi!
Responding to introductions
You can generally use the same words as the person who has introduced him or herself. So if someone says "Pleased to meet you. I'm …." you can also say "Pleased to meet you. I'm…." Alternatively, you can just give your name as a reply, but make sure you sound confident, rather than speaking too quietly for the other person to hear.
Introducing others
(in order of formality)
- May I introduce you to…
- Could / Can I introduce you to…
- Let me introduce you to…
- I'd like you to meet…
- I don't believe you've met…
- Have you met…
- X, this is Y. Y, this is X.
Who do you introduce first?
In "Mr A, I'd like you to meet Mr B", Mr A has the higher status. When you are introduced to someone, you can use a standard phrase such as "Pleased to meet you". You don't need to say much at all, unless you are asked a direct question.
As you introduce someone, use your arm to gesture. So if you have Mr A on your left hand side and you want him to meet Mr B, move your right forearm slowly away from your body in the direction of Mr B so that it is clear who you are introducing.
Making small talk
If you meet someone at a business function, you'll probably spend a couple of minutes in small talk after you introduce yourselves. The topic of small talk is often related to the situation. For example, if you are both at a business conference, the topic of conversation will probably be the conference itself. "Interesting seminars this year" could be the starting point, or "Did you go to the talk by X?" If you are unsure about what to say, take your cue from the other person, responding to their questions, and taking the conversation further:
A: Did you go to the talk by X?
B: Yes, I did. I thought it was really interesting. Are you going to the seminar this afternoon?
A: Interesting seminars this year.
B: Yes, I agree. I particularly liked the one on Asian markets.
Saying good bye
Use a polite phrase to show that you have to leave the other person.
- Well, it was nice meeting you.
- Well, it was a pleasure to meet you.