English communication skills- Networking- How to Get Acquainted-Great Questions 

Networking is communicating. It is the way you interact and relate to the people, the world, and opportunities around you.

Fact is, there is joy in connecting and building relationships – that is the spirit of networking  in our personal and professional life.

Beginnings are hard for people.  Getting acquainted  is the time to ask questions to develop a sense of rapport and relationship.  You are encouraging the other person to talk about his or her life and work.

Here are some of my favorite questions:

“I would like to understand your business better.”

“What do you love most about what you do?”

“How did you happen to get into (this type of work, this business)?”

“What brought you to  (Denver, New York, Chicago, Miami…)?

Having asked these questions, the fun part is listening for opportunities to offer ideas or contacts that can provide information, expertise, or  assistance to the other person.  With the frame of networking in mind, think about people you know who might be good contacts for the person as a prospect, friend, associate or resource.

Even if you cannot immediately respond as a resource, do make a mental note of what you are learning about the person.

It is all about being open – being open to a new level of relationship that will continue to be a source of support, contacts, referrals, satisfaction.

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.

So You Never Know What to Say!

One key to small talk is listening.

Use what the other person is saying as the natural guide.  The person who is talking is always giving ideas and cues about what you might say or ask.

Here’s a rule of thumb from Larry King, long standing popular talk show host.  “My first rule of conversation is this: “I never learn a thing while I’m talking.  If I’m going to learn, I’ll have to do it by listening.”

English communication skills-  Networking is Communicating and Connecting

It is all about relationships, connecting.  Networking is another term for that lifelong process of meeting people, making contacts, developing friendships and building professional relationships.

It is in the communicating where networking happens.  The skill of networking involves learning how and when to approach people, how and when to offer support, how and when to ask for help.

The next several blogs will deal with networking – which in essence is an expansion outward into relationships and sharing and helping.

What is the spirit of networking?

Networking is:

• Making contacts
• Getting to know people and growing relationships
• An attitude of support and connection
• A natural human tendency to want to give and contribute
• A combination of attitude, habits, skills: a way of living
• Giving with no obligations or expectations
• Being gracious
• Sharing information and contacts with integrity
• Expressing yourself
• Giving power to people
• Asking and offering in a non-demanding manner
• Includes everyone
• Using resources for mutual benefit
• For people wanting to accomplish their goals and dreams
• Promoting something of value
• Ends up saving you time
• Persistence and patience
• Appropriate for all personality styles
• Serving people

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.

The Power of Small Talk

Just as it is little things that build strong relationships, it is small talk that develops the rapport which leads to information, opening opportunities and strong connection.

Small talk is not insignificant. Instead, it is the gateway to business referrals, job opportunities, and new friends.

During small talk people are paving the way for conversations to grow into unknown territory.

Small talk is the seed from which conversation and relationship grow.  Small talk is the heart of networking.

Networking is just another name for making connections… wherever and whenever…

English Communication Skills- How to Join In a Group at a Gathering

How do you join in when people are already gathered in groups, conversing and having a good time?

• Minimize the problem by arriving no more than fifteen minutes after the appointed time
• If you are one of the early arrivals, people are more likely to come over to you, especially if you smile and make eye contact
• If you have just walked into a gathering in progress, first introduce yourself to the host or greeter. Then gaze over the room and look for the most animated group of three to five people.  It’s more difficult to go over to two people since they might be engaged in an intimate or perhaps important conversation.  With two people we might be interrupting; with three or more we are joining.
• To get into a group, stand on the outside with open, agreeable body language and sounds (“hmm, mmm”) nodding and smiling.  When someone invites you by words, facial expression or eye contact to step into the group, you can introduce yourself and say something pleasant.
• Another strategy for entering a group is to ask a question or make a comment that relates to the discussion. Here are some good questions:
  • “What did you think of ….?”
  • “Have you heard…?”
  • “What is your opinion on …?”
  • “Yes, and …”
  • “As a thought on…”

You can also enter a group with a compliment, or by agreeing with the speakers. Agree with the speaker and link it to your viewpoint.

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.