Here’s how to greet visitors to your company and start business negotiations. Best topics to do business small talk and build good relations with your business partners.
Business Small Talk: Conversation Questions
Do you think business people should build business small talk skills? Why? Why not?
How do you think business small talk is different from a small talk in the situations not related to business?
What is the role of a business small talk?
Business Small Talk: Talking about the journey
Executive: Pleased to meet you! I hope you had a pleasant journey. Is this your first visit to Berlin?
Visitor: Unfortunately, there was a problem with the flight. We had to wait for three hours!
Executive: Did you have a good journey?
Visitor: Oh, the flight was good! Quite fast and relaxing. And the weather’s fine today!
Talking about the city/ sights
Executive: Have you been to Saint- Petersburg before, Mr Rogers?
Visitor: Actually, no. This is my first visit to your country, so I’m looking forward to seeing some of the sights later today! Oh, and call me Paul please.
A: We met last year at the Economic Forum, didn’t we?
B: Yes, I seem to recognise your face, too! Actually, this is my third time here – I’m very happy to be in this country again!
A: Do you have any plans for today? You must make time to visit the Hermitage – there’s now a new exhibition of Flemish paintings there.
B: Oh, I’d really love to! I’ll go there as soon as we finish our negotiations today. I’d like to see all museums, art galleries, monuments and cathedrals in this beautiful city!
Executive: Are you looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower?
Visitor: Definitely! I’ve always dreamt of viewing Paris from the top!
Talking about accommodation
Executive: What hotel are you staying at? Is it comfortable?
Visitor: Yes, my room is quite cozy. The hotel has a nice sauna and a swimming pool.
Executive: Have you got any problems with accommodation?
Visitor: Well, we’d booked a suite room for three nights here, but unfortunately something went wrong and now we live in a standard room. It’s quite nice, though. And the price is reasonable.
Talking about restaurants/food
Executive: Have you had your breakfast yet?
Visitors: Well, yes! We had a croissant and a coffee early in the morning.
Executive: We’ll have a couple of coffee breaks today – there are some snacks and biscuits over there for you to nibble. And our lunch is at 1 pm.
Visitor: Great! I must confess I work better after eating!
Business Small Talk in Multicultural Environment: Conversation Questions
Do you think cultural awareness is important when doing business small talk in a multicultural environment? Why? Why not?
What topics can be considered inappropriate for a business small talk in a multicultural environment?
What other topics can be deemed safe in multicultural surroundings?
Written by Elena Rudaya
