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.
©
2004, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
About
the Author
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
|
