Important Principles about Small Talk

The principles of small talk are the same whether you are at a small dinner party, a wedding, a conference or corporate meeting.

The key principal is worth repeating: Be open and find common ground with the other person.  Always listen.  And do great follow-up questions.

English communication skills-  Networking- Relationships- Power of Sending Notes for Praise and Thanks

Amazing how it is often the little things in life that touch us. Sending notes is one of those little things that means a lot.  It can be email. It can be handwritten.  Handwritten is a wow these days.  For the recipient- a person in our work or personal network– a note can brighten a day, motivate a co-worker and sometimes change a life.  Expressing gratitude and praising helps you, the writer, stay uplifted, focused and on track by reminding you to maintain an attitude of gratitude.

Here are some four “S’s” of note writing.  A note should be:

1. Sincere – Let it express your heart, your emotion.
2. Short- Make it anywhere from one to three sentences and no more than three.
3. Specific- Focus on something specific regarding that person. For example, “Great story in your speech about Maria’s marketing strategy.”
4. Spontaneous – The enthusiasm we express has a long-lasting effect.

Send notes frequently that say:

• Thanks for your confidence in me.
• Thanks for your friendship.
• Thanks for the opportunity to learn more about your organization
• Thanks for the ideas you shared with me.
• Thanks for your interest in our organization.
• Thanks for your support.
• Thanks for the referral.
• Thanks for sending that article (or the link to that blog).
• Thanks for thinking of me.
• Thanks for taking the time to…
• Thanks for the opportunity to do business with you.
• You are one of my favorite clients. Thanks for being so great to work with.
• Thanks for meeting with me.
• Thanks for your encouragement.
• Thanks for staying in touch.

Click here: www.cleartalkmastery.com/scheduler to sign up for a Free Sample Lesson with us!

Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercises.

What Questions do People Enjoy Answering?

For example, encourage them to talk about themselves and their accomplishments.

Be open, find the common ground with the other person.  And always listen.

English communication skills-  Networking- Relationships- Power of Praise and Thanks

An attitude of gratitude nourishes your network and relationships and helps it blossom in its growing.

Think about all the people who support you personally and professionally. Praise is the act of giving positive and sincere feedback and support to those people.

You can’t just tell people once that you appreciate them.  Appreciation and caring must be expressed in a sincere, consistent manner.

There are two main ways to  regularly acknowledge people in your network:

1. By speaking to them either in person or on the telephone
2. By sending them notes

Here are some tips on speaking words of praise and verbal acknowledgement:

1. Let people know immediately that you notice and appreciate what they are doing. So at the end of phone conversations, thank people for their call, time and feedback.
2. At the end of meetings, take the last few moments as a time for acknowledgments, when anyone can verbally express appreciation to anyone else in the meeting.
3. Give acknowledgements directly by looking people in the eye. Make sure you get their attention.  Don’t mumble or act as if your comment is unimportant.  Say it with a strong voice and with sincerity.

“Sue, I appreciate the way you…”

4. Be specific. When you make a general acknowledgment, some people may say, “She says this to everyone.”   Instead, be direct about what you appreciate in the other person.  This personal approach communicates sincerity and warmth and is more likely to catch their attention.

“Mike, I noticed how you responded to that client. I sure liked the way you listened and tried to take care of her concern so that she felt taken care of.”

5. Acknowledge people for what they do AND for the characteristics and qualities they show. Give positive feedback about their values, strengths, and abilities, as well as the way they are using those strengths and skills to get things done.

“Congratulations on your new venture.  I admire your courage to go forth on your own.”

“Thanks for referring Maria to me.  We had a great conversation right away and I look forward to working with her firm.  I sure appreciate having you as a powerful resource in my life.”

“Thanks for your hospitality. I so enjoyed my visit. You are such a gracious host.”

 The second way to  express thanks and gratitude is via notes.  More on the power of notes next time!

Click here: www.cleartalkmastery.com/scheduler to sign up for a Free Sample Lesson with us!

Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercises.

What’s the Mark of a Good Conversationalist?

Answer: Follow-up questions.

It is careful listening that makes you better able to respond in conversation.  You can build on what the other person said and be a good talker when it’s your turn.  And best of all, good follow up questions are key to being a good conversationalist.

Great tip: Ask questions that the other person will enjoy answering.