Successful small talk in English

Why small talk is big

We prefer to do business with people we like and trust. That’s why it’s so important to build good relationships with business partners. Small talk and social conversation are key elements in this trust-building process. In fact, small talk is so important that perhaps it should be renamed “big talk”! You can small-talk with people before and after meetings, in the lift, at receptions, in the taxi, over coffee, at lunch or during dinner. In some cultures, business is not business without the small talk and social conversation that go around it. In this booklet, we look at various aspects of small talk and provide tips and dialogues. We hope you find it useful and entertaining.

Ken Taylor
Contact: business@spotlight-verlag.de

Contents

• First impressions
• General small talk
• Business small talk
• Entertaining
• Social conversation
• Difficult situations
• Saying goodbye
• Renewing contact
• Cultural crossroads
• Further materials