Tag:

The Dos and Don’ts of Building Business Relationships

Oct 4, 2017

•

0 min read

In business, as in life, building relationships is key. No matter how talented you are or what service you provide, if your customers don’t like you or, worse, don’t trust you, you’re not going to get very far. Networking is a critical part of advancing your career, but making contacts will only serve you if you can foster them into fruitful business relationships.

No matter how talented you are, if your customers don’t trust you, you’re not going to get very far.

DOs

Be Prepared

Whenever you’re meeting with a client or a connection, especially a new one, make time in advance to learn a bit about them. Whether this means speaking to mutual acquaintances or researching online, doing your homework on a prospective customer or contact will allow you to identify common ground and better equip you to answer their questions or provide what they’re looking for. If you want them to give you their business, it’s crucial to come prepared. Coming to meetings well versed on the other party’s needs also assures them you will go the extra mile on their behalf.

Demonstrate Your Value

Business relationships are investments. We invest time and energy into them with the expectation that they will provide value. Just as you’re hoping to leverage your business relationships to achieve certain goals, so are your colleagues, business partners, and customers. So, consider what value you’re providing back to them. In some cases, it may be helpful to illustrate what you have brought to the relationship by presenting hard numbers and proof of results. By making a strong case for the overwhelming benefits of the relationship, you stack your deck for success, and ensure the business relationship with grow and flourish in the future.

Be Honest

There’s a reason why your parents always said, “Honesty is the best policy.” It is. If you promise your client the sun, moon and stars when networking, then that’s exactly what they’re going to expect. It’s important to set ambitious goals, but it’s just as important to deliver. If you can’t come through, be proactive about letting your client know. Otherwise, any frustration they feel will be compounded by your having mislead them and your business relationship may suffer as a result. To avoid this scenario, set reasonable goals and manage expectations with customers, bosses, and colleagues. Promise only what you are absolutely certain you can deliver. It’s always better to surprise someone by providing more than expected rather than over-promising and under-delivering.

Practice Active Listening

Ultimately, you’re here to serve your customers. If they feel your own agenda is taking priority over theirs, your business relationship will not last very long. You can only meet someone else’s needs if you listen to what those needs are, so always be as ready to hear as you are to speak. Listen to Cydcor President, Vera Quinn on the subject of really hearing your client:

Don’ts

Be Too Eager

You likely learned about playing “hard to get” in high school. In many ways, the same rules apply when building business relationships. If you appear too interested – contacting them incessantly, coming across as desperate for their business – they may start to suspect that you’re not that hot a commodity. You should seem interested in securing their business and maintaining a fruitful partnership, but make it clear that you have other irons in the fire and will be fine should things not work out. As we said earlier, if you’re clearly demonstrating the value you’ll bring to the relationship, they’ll be interested.

Project Arrogance

It can be a fine line between projecting confidence and arrogance, but it’s one you’ll have to navigate if you hope to form long-lasting and fruitful business relationships. A client or contact will be impressed by your knowledge and expertise but annoyed if it crosses over into condescension. You demonstrate your value to this business relationship best by doing your job well, not by being your own hype-man. An easy way to avoid sounding arrogant is to continuously show the other party that their thoughts and opinions matter. Remember that all business relationships are partnerships of some kind, meaning that both parties rightly feel that they matter and their ideas have value.

Fall Out of Touch

Often we make ourselves most available when we want something, and less so when we don’t. After you complete whatever business you’ve conducted with a client or contact, it can be easy to fall out of touch. Don’t fall into this trap. Make an effort to stay engaged and to continue networking, even when there’s nothing clearly “in it for you.” Business relationships, like fires, require constant kindling, or they can fizzle out. By checking in with clients and contacts on a regular basis, you demonstrate your long-term investment in the relationship and dedication to your customers.

Ultimately, maintaining a real, lasting business relationship is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, it takes work, and it takes commitment. By constantly providing value to your client or contact, consistently delivering what you promise, and by taking the time to nurture the relationship, you can build relationships that will continue to pay off for years to come.

6 Surefire Tips to Help You Remember Names

Jul 19, 2017

•

0 min read

Name tag hello my name is — 6 Tricks to Help You Remember Names

Think you’re terrible at remembering names? You’re not alone. Studies have shown that people have an easier time remembering almost any other detail about people, including what they do and where they’re from. Scientists think this might be because names, in themselves, aren’t particularly meaningful, but as anyone who’s ever forgotten the name of an important business contact will tell you, they are important. Remembering people’s names is a simple but powerful indicator to others of how important they are to you. Here are some easy tricks you can use to outsmart mother nature and make yourself seem like a memory whiz.

Remembering people’s names is a simple but powerful indicator to others of how important they are to you.

Here are 6 simple tips to help you remember people’s names you can start using right away:

Raise the Stakes: One reason we often don’t remember names is that we don’t tend to think names are very important until it’s too late. Decide that from now on you are going to remember names of everyone you meet because your fortune depends on it. You’ll be surprised how well you’ll do.

One reason we don’t remember names is that we don’t think names are important until it’s too late.

Listen Up: Too often, people don’t remember names because they simply weren’t listening. Work on forming a habit of always listening during introductions. Tell yourself that learning to really listen to people’s names is going to be your secret to success.

Repeat After Me: Every time you meet someone new, repeat their name back to them. Repeating a name forces you to pay attention to it, and saying a person’s name back to them can become your mental que to remember the information.

Get it Right: Asking someone to confirm the spelling of their name can be a great conversation starter as well as a mental reminder to take note of their name. Find out whether there are a Casey or a K.C., and a Geoff or a Jeff to give your brain an extra visual cue to remember them by.

Make a Connection: The next time you meet someone new, make a mental connection between their name and something else. What you choose doesn’t really matter as long as it has meaning to you: someone they remind you of, where they are from, an actor they look like, or a distinguishing facial feature. If your new colleague Sabrina reminds you of tennis champion Serena Williams, you might rename her Sabrina Williams in your head. Or you might remember Brian, the very smart new IT guy, as Brian “the brain”. The very process of making those connections helps send your brain a message to remember the information.

Picture: Draw a mental image of the name based on what it sounds like, it’s spelling, or your things you know about the person. See a picture of the name in your head that stands for that person. For example, if you meet a history teacher named Douglass, you might picture an archaeologist who has dug up glass fragments from some ancient civilization.

Learning to remember names isn’t not as difficult as it seems. With a little mental coaching, and by using some very simple memory tricks, you’ll discover that your capacity to remember names is a lot stronger than you first thought.

How to Always Make a Good First Impression

Jun 7, 2017

•

0 min read

Business woman shaking hands with a man at a meeting. — Your First Impression Checklist

Studies have shown that first impressions last. That’s why it’s important to be sure people’s first impressions of you are good. And if you only have one chance to do it right, it pays to do everything you can to improve your odds. In business, a first impression can decide whether or not you get that new job, or it could help a customer choose whether they’ll buy from you or not. A poor first impression could cost you money or an opportunity, but a good first impression can help you establish relationships with people that can help you reach your goals.

Here’s a first-impressions checklist, guaranteed to help you make your next first-impression a good one:

Be on Time: It’s so easy, but so many people get it wrong. Being late to an important meeting shows disrespect for the other person’s time, and it makes you seem arrogant and disorganized. Being on time, on the other hand, shows that you’re taking the appointment seriously. It also makes you appear more confident and poised, because you’ve had time to gather your thoughts and review your notes.

Do your Research: Before any important meeting, make sure you know a little something about the person you’re speaking with. People naturally connect with those with whom they have something in common, so find out if you’re from the same city or whether you’ve traveled to the same landmark. Those shared experiences can be great icebreakers. When meeting with a company, prepare some talking points that are relevant to the business, or think of questions that show you understand their unique challenges in the marketplace.

Be Positive: Maintain a great attitude and a positive perspective whenever you’re meeting someone for the first time. A first encounter is not the time to start complaining about your last employer or grumbling about business setbacks. While some of your complaints may be valid, they can give the impression that you’re someone who looks to assign blame rather than taking responsibility for his or her own actions.

Say it with a Smile: Some studies indicate that 90% of what we communicate comes not from what we say, but rather, how we say it. Body language is critically important when making a good first impression, so even if you’re feeling tired and stressed, remember that keeping up that friendly smile can help put the other person at ease, even when words fail you. Other simple, non-verbal ways to make a good first impression are maintaining eye contact, nodding in agreement, and giving a nice, firm handshake.

Studies indicate that 90% of what we communicate comes not from what we say, but how we say it.

Say Less and Listen More: What you say is important, but what might be even more important, is how well you listen. People like to talk, and they enjoy people who pay attention to what they have to say. Show you’re genuinely interested when the other person speaks, and ask follow up questions that show you understand the point they have made.

Stay Focused: Eliminate distractions like your cell phone, and plan meetings in quiet spaces where you’re unlikely to be interrupted and where you can hear the other person clearly. Don’t check your watch, and avoid glancing at the clock more than necessary. While staying on schedule is important, obsessively watching the clock gives the impression you’re anxious for the meeting to end.

Show Your Manners: When it comes to good first impressions, manners can go a long way. Build rapport by asking the other person about their day or pay them a compliment before diving right into business. Offer to get them a cup of coffee or a cold drink. Thank them for their time and shake hands, or walk them out, when the meeting is over. And, don’t forget to send a nice thank you note or follow up email.

When it comes to good first impressions, manners can go a long way.

Dress to Impress: Putting a little extra effort into your appearance before an important meeting isn’t just about looking attractive. It’s about showing effort. It lets the other person know the meeting is important to you, and it puts you in a mindset to act professional and feel confident. Dressing sharply sets the stage for success, and it helps you play the part.

A first impression sets the tone for what’s to come. It can determine the way an employer, business partner, or client thinks about you, and no matter how the relationship evolves, that first meeting will always play a role in how you are perceived. Don’t squander the opportunity. By taking first impressions seriously and following the tips in this checklist, you can be sure you’re putting your best foot forward when it matters most.

7 Things the Best Sales Professionals Do Every Single Day

Jan 13, 2017

•

0 min read

7 Things the Best Sales Professionals Do Every Single Day — Create goals, study your craft, and do the difficult tasks first.

Sales can be an extremely rewarding and lucrative profession. In order to reach that stage in your career, think about the things the best sales professionals do and emulate them in your daily work. Here are some things they do every day to be masters of their careers.

They create goals and persist until they reach them

When the best sales professionals set a goal, they commit 100 percent to achieving that goal. Then, they don’t stop until they do what they set out to do. Obstacles are normal, so they expect them and work hard to push through until they achieve success.

They do the hard stuff first

It’s easy to do the least effort-intensive tasks first, thinking that will leave you plenty of time to focus on the harder tasks later. But instead, you might find yourself without enough hours in the day to accomplish a difficult task that really needs to be done. Instead, the best sales professionals do the hardest, highest-priority task first and reward themselves for accomplishing that by doing smaller and less intense tasks afterwards.

They only check their email a few times a day

It’s easy to get used to responding to every beep or vibration from your phone, but the most successful sales professionals keep their phones in their pocket and focus on making sales. They set aside some time during lunch, or at the beginning and end of the day, to go through their emails and respond to those that need their attention.

They study their craft

You might think of sales as a profession that doesn’t require a lot of education to do well. The truth is that the best sales professionals continually learn. They do this by talking with teammates to learn about successful sales techniques, or by reading books to learn the art of persuasive speaking and making effective sales pitches.

They learn from their mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, but the best sales professionals learn from them. It’s natural to want to hide your errors to prevent being judged by others or even to drown in negative self-talk after making a mistake. Instead, take some time to think about the mistake and see what you can do better in the future.

They take care of themselves

The best sales professionals establish a healthy morning routine. They get enough exercise and sleep, make time to spend with their family and friends, and don’t skip meals. They also “unplug” at night so they can wake up refreshed and ready to hit the streets.

They don’t use to-do lists

This may be surprising and even counterintuitive. However, according to Entrepreneur magazine, only 41 percent of items on to-do lists ever get done. Why? Again, it comes down to the fact that people tend to do the easy tasks before the difficult ones. The best sales professionals schedule their “to-dos” on their calendar because it holds them accountable to complete tasks at a specific time.

What do you do every day to be an excellent sales professional? Share your tips in the comments or tweet @Cydcor with your stories.

We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services located in Agoura Hills, CA. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.

A Starter’s Guide to the Perfect Elevator Pitch

Dec 9, 2016

•

0 min read

A Starter’s Guide to the Perfect Elevator Pitch Cydcor — It takes time and patience to create the perfect pitch, but it’s worth the effort.

If you know what an elevator pitch is, you probably think of it as something only businesspeople use. In reality, it can be applied to many different fields. An elevator pitch is everything you need to say to impress your potential customer in 30 seconds or fewer—about the amount of time it would take to travel a few floors in an elevator. It’s also the perfect opportunity to showcase your uniqueness. The elevator pitch is a crucial tool for sales representatives, so here are a few tips on how to craft a perfect one.

Step 1: Brainstorm about what you want to say. Take a blank piece of paper and write down the most important things you want to tell your customer about your service, product, or company. Focus on interesting or memorable facts that make you stand out from the crowd.

Step 2: Edit ruthlessly. Eliminate jargon, repetition, and unnecessary information. As you edit, remember that an elevator pitch consists of three main parts: The benefit, the differentiator, and the ask. Make sure your pitch tells the customer what impact your product will have, what makes it different from the competition, and how you’ll proceed if the customer is interested.

Step 3: Write your pitch on a piece of paper. Spend extra time thinking about how to phrase the differentiator or value proposition in order to get your customer interested. What makes your product unique or places it above similar products offered by your competition? If you can back this up with a simple number—for example, “95 percent of customers say they’d buy the product again”—that strengthens your proposition.

Step 4: Practice your pitch. That means saying it over and over again until you don’t have to refer to your piece of paper. You don’t have to say the exact words you wrote down, but you do have to convey the important ideas. Rehearsing will allow you to speak off-the-cuff and will keep you from getting flustered if you flub your pitch or your customer reacts in an unexpected way.

Step 5: Record yourself. Make sure your voice sounds natural, that you’re not speaking too quietly or in a monotone, and that you’re not talking too fast. You want your pitch to sound like regular conversation, not a script.

Step 6: Get feedback. Ask your teammates or a trusted friend or loved one to listen to your elevator pitch. Make sure they know you’re looking for constructive critique on everything from the wording of the pitch to your body language.

Step 7: Hit the streets! Now that you have your pitch down, it’s time to take your pitch and turn it into action. You may need to tailor it for specific audiences. Not everyone is going to respond in the same way to your value proposition, so you may need to have a couple of others in the back of your mind.

An elevator pitch is a dynamic thing, so be sure to let it evolve as you grow in your career.

What tips do you have for mastering the art of the elevator pitch? Please share them in the comments. For additional blogs from Cydcor, be sure to check out https://www.cydcor.com/media.

Best Practices for Using Twitter for Networking

Jul 22, 2016

•

0 min read

Here’s how to use Twitter at its maximum potential, build engagement with current and potential customers, and grow your company’s online community.

Twitter was created to build social networks, support conversations and increase engagement between individuals and communities. A successful Twitter strategy requires your full participation. You need to do more than share stories about your company, product or service. A successful Twitter strategy requires that you share messages that matter.

At Cydcor, we value communication skills and encourage our employees and sales associates to always tell engaging stories. Use your Twitter account to share news about your company and a bit of your own personality. Here are some strategies for optimizing Twitter for work.

Short and Tweet

Each tweet is limited to 140 characters. Write shorts tweets that start conversations or encourage conversations to continue. Ask a question. Offer a resource. Keep your comments professional but not too formal. Quality content leads to more shares, garners better engagement and grows your online community.

Tweeting on Time

You may be sharing the best messages ever shared on Twitter, but if no one sees them, then they’re not having an impact. You might want to try scheduling your tweets to be published when users are online and will notice them. Hootsuite and Buffer are two online platforms that allow you to schedule your tweets. Research suggests that most people check their tweets at lunchtime.

Learn to Use #Hashtags

#Hashtags allow users to search tweets for topics that interest them. Create a series of hashtags related to your company. Your company name, product names and terms relevant to your industry make good hashtags. For example, if you work in the travel industry, you could use #vacation to engage followers interested in planning a trip.

Create Quality Content

Use words that everyone will understand—not just others in your industry. It helps to engage potential customers by creating useful content that solves problems. Before posting a tweet, ask yourself if your followers will find your message useful and worth sharing.

Twitter is a great tool to add to your selling strategy. It provides you with a platform and a voice to attract new followers and customers. Put these skills into practice and you may soon see more opportunities for success.

What strategies do you use to make Twitter work well for you? Share your thoughts on Twitter and be sure to follow @Cydcor on Instagram to learn more about our company and our culture.

We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.

Opportunities for Finding New Clients Are Everywhere

Apr 15, 2016

•

0 min read

Opportunities for Finding New Clients Are Everywhere — How do you go about finding new clients? Don’t overthink it—new clients may be just around the corner, waiting for you to reach out to them.

Think about how many interactions with other people you have each day: ordering your coffee, chatting with a stranger over lunch, or meeting people on a bus on your way back home. Each interaction represents an opportunity to turn a stranger into a customer. At Cydcor, we believe that networking is crucial for finding new contacts. Here are some tips for turning connections into customers.

Refine and Memorize Your Elevator Pitch

The function of an elevator pitch is to communicate what you do to someone else. If someone can’t understand your business, they won’t be able to see the value it could provide. Your story should be conversational and convey your work briefly.

Work the Contacts You Already Have

You know more people than just those you interact with every day: think on all of your friends and their friends, former coworkers, family members, and past clients. Connect with as many people as you can to get your name out there. Network with “People You May Know” on LinkedIn, fellow alumni, or get to know people who have the same creative outlet as you.

Determine Who Will Make a Good Connection

A good contact is someone who would find value in working with you and seems genuinely interested in what you do. People should be comfortable with you before you give them your pitch. If they like you, they’re more likely to want to learn more about you and about your business.

Follow up With Potential Customers

Put potential customers’ information in your contacts list as soon as you get a chance. Send them an email to follow up if they’ve expressed interest in working with you, or even if you just want to say how great it was to meet them.

Market Yourself Online

Compose smartly crafted newsletters and keep a valuable blog up to date with fresh, new content. The more people who subscribe to your platforms and pay attention to your company, the better. Also leverage the power of social media. More and more people these days use social media to learn about a topic or a business. Social media can help you reach people you normally wouldn’t interact with on a daily basis. So, take advantage of the many networking sites available online.

Be Mindful of Your Potential Client’s Needs

Once you have made a first impression on a new contact do not overstay your welcome if you notice they are busy or rushed. Offer a friendly good-bye after you’ve exchanged contact information, and then be on your way. Don’t flood them with too much information. Be aware of the queues your contacts give you such as time constraints. You will be better off leaving your contacts wanting to know more about what you have to offer at a later time rather than forcing a conversation when is not the right time.

So, tell us, do you use casual conversations to discover new customers? what techniques do you use to find new customers in creative ways? Post your story on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.

How to Recognize a Good Opportunity

Nov 13, 2015

•

0 min read

You might not recognize opportunity when you find it: there are no sirens or flashing lights. No one is going to take you by the hand and lead you to it. As an adult engaged in your career, you’re responsible for finding and accepting any and all of the opportunities that you encounter.

Recognizing opportunity isn’t a magical talent that requires an expensive education—you can build the necessary skills, though it will take effort and education. You must commit to learning about your company, your industry, and how business and the world at large interact and create situations filled with possibility.

Prepare for Opportunity

Get the best information available to you about where you want your career to go. This will be your roadmap. Equip yourself with the skills, supplies, and crew required to reach your destination. Opportunities are uncharted but, with careful preparation and an eye on the horizon, you’ll be ready when they come into view.

Never Give Up

Opportunity has an expiration date. It’s like a sale at the store—available for a limited time only. When you find an opportunity, be ready to act on it. If you’re not successful in your first attempts, learn from your experience and then try again. Failure is an important teacher.

Identify Your Goals

Opportunity is an undiscovered country, but it borders known lands. Your ability to recognize opportunity when it appears is connected to the destination you’ve identified. Establish your goals and use them as a map towards advancement. Identify issues in your job, company, or industry that need improvement or expansion. Keep learning about your job, industry, and current events The more you know the easier it will be to recognize how opportunity connects to your experience.

Looking to help on developing an entrepreneurial spirit? Cydcor has you covered! Check out this blog from October 2015: Developing an Entrepreneurial Spirit

Opportunity Is Hidden Under Hard Work

As in any career, hard work and persistence are often your key to career advancement and recognition. The hard work you put into your job every day has a special result. It delivers the experience required to find opportunity that can lead to even greater opportunity. Imagine you’re a prospector looking for gold. Over time, you’ve studied rock formations and learned how to spot potential gold bearing sites. Diligence delivers opportunity.

Develop an Opportunity Network

Great discoveries are often attributed to one person but they’re never only made by one person. In order to identify an opportunity you’ll have to talk to people in your office and in your profession to learn what opportunities look like to them. You’ll discover opportunity through interaction with others. As you develop relationships with your team, colleagues, and network connections, you’ll enter into conversations that lead to professional relationships. Offer assistance, expertise, and information to others and they will reward with the access to unlimited opportunity.

You have the map. You’ve assembled all of the tools and supplies required. You’ve alerted your crew about your voyage and the goals you’re focused upon. Don’t wait any longer. Follow theses strategies and you’ll soon land your first opportunity.

How do you recognize an opportunity when you find one? Do you work with others to find opportunity? Please share a story about opportunity’s impact on your life so others can benefit from your experience. Comment below and tell your story on Twitter. Follow us @Cydcor and please share this article with your friends and ask for their thoughts.

We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada, to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.

Stars Earn Recognition By Exceeding Expectations

Nov 5, 2015

•

0 min read

Cydcor Sales Stars Earn Recognition By Exceeding Expectations

In order to shine bright as a star in your workplace, you must establish a set of goals and not only achieve them but exceed them. A star never lets obstacles get in their way.

The first step to stardom requires an attitude adjustment. Start by examining your outlook about work to see if you’re being influenced by negative thoughts. Rethink your negatives and turn them into positives. That’s how you ignite your spark and shine like the star. A star is rewarded with recognition not because they’re good at their job. A star earns recognition because they’re providing exceptional service to their company.

Here are some thoughtful methods for building recognition for your achievements:

Communicate Effectively

A star at work shines because coworkers talk about the unique qualities they saw in you. You need to be a good communicator in order to get people talking about your shining achievements. You don’t need to talk a lot; you need to provide information that matters.

Develop Valuable Skills

Recognition and awards are often given to people who have special skills or expertise in an area. Identify the skills most valuable to your company and become more skillful in those areas. These can range from soft skills like creative problem solving, writing, or negotiation to technical or computer skills.

Document Your Wins

No one else is going to remember what you’ve done. You’re not necessarily on your own but you’re part of a large system where everyone has their own goals and achievements on their minds. Make a record of your star-making achievements. It’s the hard proof you need to show your supervisor that you’re valuable to the company and deserving of recognition and advancement.

Do More

Once your work is done, your job is just beginning. You must regularly ace your everyday assignments and then provide your company with the innovation that makes you a visible and valuable member of the organization. If there is an opportunity to take on a new assignment, take that opportunity. Before saying yes be certain that you have the time to excel at star level tasks.

Create a Network

Review your list of contacts and identify their areas of expertise. Figure out how you can help them and identify possible solutions you might be able to provide. These people are your allies and will help you to build a reputation that leads to recognition and awards.

Always Be Willing to Help

A star is humble and always willing to pitch in when help is required. You’re ready to listen to other people and aren’t defensive when you’re given an assignment. A star focuses on what needs to get done and gets it done.

It’s time for you to shine. Your colleagues, team members, and supervisors are committed to the success of the company and, therefore, they’re committed to your success as well. It’s a win-win situation. So, what are you waiting for?

What’s your strategy for earning recognition at work? Your experience is important to us. Please comment on this page or tell your story on Twitter and follow @Cydcor, and please share this article with your friends.

Master Small Talk and Do Big Things

Aug 5, 2015

•

0 min read

Cydcor - Master Small Talk — Flickr CC via wcn247

Even if you’ve been born with a friendly personality, you may find yourself stuck when you’re in a situation that requires you to start a casual conversation. If you’re a naturally quiet person, these social situations might be uncomfortable experiences. When you’re nervous you lose your confidence and find it difficult to focus. Follow these suggestions and learn how to turn small talk into a new skill!

Don’t Just Say Hello!

Saying hello is a standard introduction during a social encounter. It works, but it leaves the conversation with no place to go. Instead, get the conversation rolling with adding open-ended questions.

What brought you here? What are you interested in learning?
Tell me about you?
What is your latest project?
Are you familiar with social media? How do you use social media to connect with customers?
What’s the most interesting part of your work?
Which leaders in your field inspire you?

Small Talks Needs a Big Brain and a Big Attentions Span

Once you’ve asked an open-ended question, pay attention to what the person is saying. At the same time, think of one or two follow up questions based on what the speaker says. Pay attention to their eyes and facial expressions. You can nod your head to show that you’re listening. It’s okay to smile, laugh, or become serious depending on the conversation. When there’s a natural pause in the conversation, make a comment and ask another leading question. If you get nervous, just take deep breaths and try again.

Common Interests Build Common Ground

As you continue your conversation, you’ll discover shared professional interests and concerns, which will help you build a conversational connection. If you’re attending a business conference, you have the topics related to your business in common. This can be a great confidence builder when it comes to improving your casual conversation skills.

Know When It’s Time to Go

After a certain amount of time, you will know that you’ve reached the end of your conversation. At that time, let your contact know that you have other people to speak to. Simply say, “I’ve really enjoyed speaking to you, and I appreciate all the information you shared and getting to know more about your business. Here’s my card. Can I have your business card too?”

If you say that you’re going to follow up or provide some kind of information—do it. That’s how you turn small talk into big success—one conversation at a time.