BBI2413 ENGLISH FOR WORKPLACE

SEMESTER 2, 2016/2017

WEEK 1

Making business contacts

Its not what you know, its who you know

The saying above is often very true when looking for a new job or trying to progress
in your chosen career sector.
Making and keeping contacts can be crucial to your career development.
Networking and socialising is important aspects of success in publicity jobs

Socialising & Networking: Breaking the ice

Hi. I am from Malaysia!

Is this an appropriate expression to start a conversation?

It is always better to start with a question about the other person, rather than a statement
about yourself. By choosing the topic, youre making it much easier for the other person to
follow up with a question about you.

Another natural place for starting conversations is the buffet, even if the conversations are
very superficial. You need to be ready to follow up with something much more engaging.
These are some useful language tips for ice-breaking.

Practice 1
Match the expressions correctly:

1. Excuse me. Do you a. a long way to get here?

2. Hello. My names XXX. Is it b. for a living?

3. Are you here alone c. good presentations today?

4. And what about you? d. Where are you from?

5. Its cold out e. have you tried it?

6. I just came out for some fresh f. here, isnt it?

air

7. Could you pass g. I can find the spoons?

8. Are you giving a h. me the milk?

9. This salads delicious i. mind if I join you?

10. Do you know many j. mornings lecture?

11. Are you enjoying k. OK if I join your group?

 12. Its a great l. or with a group?

13. Is this your first m. party, isnt it?

14. Did you attend any n. people here tonight?

15. Do you know where o. presentation at the conference?

16. Did you enjoy this p. round here?

17. Have you travelled q. the party?

18. What do you do r. there are too many people in there.

19. Are you from s. time at the conference?

[Taken from BBC British Council: Business English Socializing

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/category/specialist-area/business-english-socialising]

Maintaining a Conversation

Starting a conversation can be difficult, but keeping it going can often be even harder. What
can we do to encourage people to keep talking to us? (Anonymous, 2008)

Make brief comments

In general, you should make comments and ask intelligent questions. This shows people
that you are interested in what they are talking about, and that you wish to continue the
conversation. Here are some practical ways of doing this.

Make brief comments Functions Example Phrases

To show surprise Really?

To show admiration or surprise Wow!

Fantastic!

To show great interest in the subject of conversation That's incredible/amazing/unbelievable

Ask brief questions

Ask brief questions Functions Example Phrases

To show surprise Really?

When someone asks you how you are And you?

To encourage someone to tell their story Did you?

Echo words
Try to identify key words in what the other person has just said and bounce it back. This is
one of the simplest ways of prompting further conversation. However, please do not overuse
this technique, as otherwise you might sound a little strange. E.g.

Jo: I had a great time at the conference.

You: The conference?
Jo: The hotel was great and so were the key speakers.
You: Key speakers?
Jo: Yes. John Smith, Debbie Jones and Brian Lovely were all there. James
Wilby gave a great talk on Innovation Management.

Limit closed questions

Try to limit the number of questions that simply ask for a yes/no response.
e.g. Do you like your job? Answer: "Yes, it's OK."
If you ask a question which requires a one-word answer, then thats what you will probably
get! These types of questions do not help you keep the conversation going.

Ask open-ended questions

Try to ask questions which require a more considered response from your partner.
What do you like most about your job?
How are things going with your new project?
Whats your opinion of..

This type of question gives your contact something to think about. This means that they will
probably provide further details and examples. These questions can therefore help to keep
the conversation going.

Dont make negative comments

Try to put situations and subjects in a positive light. Complaining or moaning is not the key to
good conversation. It does not show you in a good light either!

Be curious
Even if you already know a lot about a particular subject, always ask others to share their
point of view. Nobody likes a know-it-all. You may even learn something new!

Turn the spotlight on them, not you

Try to get the other person speaking. Youll learn more about them. Surprisingly, you are
often more memorable as well. Because you have allowed them to do the talking, they will
remember you in a good light!
Maintain Eye Contact
Keep your attention on the person youre talking to and that means good eye contact. Its
very easy to be distracted and keep glancing around to see who else is in the room. This
comes over as shallow and rude. Practise your peripheral vision to spot new people
trying to join your group. Be open with them and bring them into the conversation, by
saying something like Hi, were talking about the last speakerwhat did you think her
angle was on ? (Archer, 2012)

Ending a Conversation

"Be bright. Be brief. Be gone."

by Susan RoAne

A pleasant ending to a conversation can go a long way, so take time and thought to end on
a positive note. People remember what they hear last the longest. You should never be
dishonest when coming up with an exit line. Make sure your reason for ending the
conversation is legitimate so you dont risk making the person feel bad. How you extricate
yourself is another measure of your mastery of good manners (Fox, 2008). Find an
appropriate point in the conversation to make an graceful exit.

Good example to end a conversation:

It was nice talking to you. I didnt know about all the fascinating projects youve been
working on. Perhaps we can meet for lunch so you can tell me more. (Fox, 2008)

Pre-closing Closing

It's been nice talking to you. I look forward to seeing you again.

It's been great talking with you. See you next week.

I really enjoyed meeting you. Let me give you my business card.

It was nice meeting you, ________. Here's my business card.

I'm sorry, but I have to go now. Let's keep in touch by e-mail.

I'm afraid I have to leave now. We'll be in touch.

Thanks for the information/your time. Call me if you have any questions

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Perhaps we can do lunch sometime.

.
Practice 2
Leaving a conversation: Fill in the blanks

1. Well, Ive just ___________ someone that I need

to speak to ___________. It was very ___________
meeting you. Let me give you my ___________. Ill
___________ you when I get back home, so we can
stay in ___________. Maybe we can have
a___________ talk later in the conference. See
you___________.

2. Im really ___________, but Ive just

had an ___________SMS from my
husband, so I need to go ___________
and call him. ___________well have a
___________to talk later.

(nice, touch, hopefully spotted; proper, urgently, sorry, urgent, outside, email, later, card)
[Taken from BBC British Council: Business English Socializing]

Business Card Etiquette

When you give someone your business card, youre introducing yourself on paper.
A business card is a representation of who you are, so be sure that the card is in pristine
condition before you hand it over.
Here are a few tips on what to do and what not to do with your business card at networking
events.
Keep your business card to yourself.
DO NOT hand out your business card to everyone you see. Be selective about who
you choose to exchange information with.
Give your business card to someone when they ask for it.
If you are interested in connecting with someone beyond an event, you should ask
for a way to contact them.
Read the card.
Taking time to read the card demonstrates value and interest in the person you are
networking with.
Say the name on card out loud.
It is a way to demonstrate respect and value of the individual you are networking
with.

[Taken from http://www.careerealism.com/3-rules-to-smart-business-card-etiquette/&

http://www.timsstrategy.com/blog/business-card-etiquette-7-tips-to-improve-your-
networking/#sthash.bgVt1cFx.dpuf]