Conversation Starters

A networking event or company function can sometimes be daunting for a lot of us. Social interaction comes naturally to others but to you and I it may be a "mumble moment" every time. We hesitate in interacting as much as we should to benefit from the potential opportunities in the room. So for the next event you attend, why not take Lynne Brennan's list of tips and put them to good use:Dedicate a number of topics you feel confident about discussing to start the conversation with like:

• Sport
• Music
• The surroundings - if it is an event you need to travel to
• World affairs
• Holidays
• Food
• Films
• Favourite people and places
• News items
• Business associations
• Industry news and happenings

Be sure to:

• ALWAYS read a daily newspaper to ensure you are up to date with business news and current affairs.
• AVOID initiating a conversation on politics or religion and asking questions of a personal nature i.e. income, sex, family.
• If you tend to speak quickly, remember to pause now and again - make it easier for people to listen to you and understand you.
• If you discuss business - AVOID gossip. Be loyal to the company, department and your colleagues and be sensitive to the reaction of others.
• When conversing, show real interest in the person you are talking to. The minute your mind wanders, you will show the person you are talking to that you have lost interest and they will notice. Do not interrupt others or talk over them when they are speaking. Use phrases of encouragement like:
  - "That's interesting, where did you see that?"
  - "I noticed an article about your company in..."
  - "So tell me when you decided to..."
  
• Give some thought to developing some links of your own - empathising with others soon builds relationships:
  - " I appreciate that feeling"
  - "Yes it is difficult isn't it?"
  - "That must be really exciting"
  
  It will make the person you are talking to feel comfortable because you are building empathy, not just talking about subjects that are of particular interest to you.

For more information - visit our website www.profimpressions.co.za