'Pleased to meet you' – Introductions in business settings | Business of English #1 | ABC Australia

ABC Australia

9 Jun 201109:53

Summary

TLDRThis script from 'The Business of English' focuses on essential business etiquette in English-speaking environments. It covers the art of introductions, using phrases like 'Hello, I don't think we've met' and 'Pleased to meet you', and the importance of exchanging names and job positions. It also touches on the transition from formal to informal address, the use of titles, and how to introduce people effectively in a business setting. The script is an educational guide to making professional connections and navigating social interactions in business.

Takeaways

😀 Greeting someone new in a business setting typically starts with a simple 'Hello' and an introduction of oneself.
🤝 When meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to shake hands as a part of the introduction.
🏢 Inquiring about someone's company and position is a common way to initiate a conversation and understand their professional background.
🔎 Different ways to ask about someone's company include 'What company are you from?', 'Which company do you represent?', and 'What's your line of business?'
📈 Describing one's job involves stating 'I am' or 'I'm' followed by the job title, which helps in establishing professional identity.
💼 When asked 'who you work for', it's helpful to mention both the company and your specific role within it.
📚 Using formal titles such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. is appropriate in initial introductions, but it's common to transition to first names as the interaction becomes more informal.
🗣️ Introducing others involves stating full names and positions, which helps in setting the context for further conversation.
👋 Phrases like 'How do you do?' and 'Nice to meet you' are formal greetings used in introductions and can be practiced for professional interactions.
🔍 Providing information about oneself proactively can make conversations more relaxed and help in building rapport in business meetings.

Q & A

How does Sam introduce himself to Victor when they first meet?
-Sam introduces himself by saying 'Hello, I don't think we've met. Sam Eriks.' This is a polite way to initiate a conversation with someone new.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Pleased to meet you' in this context?
-The phrase 'Pleased to meet you' is a formal greeting used by both Victor and Sam when they introduce themselves to each other, indicating a polite and professional tone.
What does Victor reveal about his company when asked about it?
-Victor reveals that he is from OceanWide, a company that is expanding rapidly and for which he is the sales representative for the region.
How does Sam describe his own company and position?
-Sam describes himself as the CEO of a small export and packaging company that specializes in seafood, indicating that he works for himself.
What are some alternative ways to ask about someone's company affiliation as demonstrated in the script?
-Some alternative ways include asking 'What company are you from?', 'Which company do you represent?', and 'What's your line of business?'
What is the Western tradition when meeting someone for the first time in a business context?
-The Western tradition is to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time in a business context.
How does the script suggest handling the use of formal titles versus first names?
-The script suggests that after the initial introduction with formal titles, it's more comfortable to use first names, especially in less formal situations, as demonstrated when Victor asks Sam to call him by his first name.
What is the importance of providing information about oneself before being asked in a business meeting?
-Providing information about oneself before being asked can make the conversation more relaxed and help establish rapport with the other party.
How does Sam introduce Victor to Lin in the script?
-Sam introduces Victor to Lin by stating his full name, position, and company, and then introduces Lin in the same manner, ensuring both parties know enough about each other to start a conversation.
What is the significance of the phrase 'How do you do' in the context of introductions?
-The phrase 'How do you do' is a formal way of greeting someone during introductions, as used by Lin when she meets Victor.
What are some phrases that the script suggests practicing for introducing oneself and others in a business setting?
-Some phrases to practice include 'Hello, I don't think we've met', 'And what company are you from?', 'Let me introduce you to someone', 'Pleased to meet you', 'Who do you work for?', 'Please call me [first name]', 'I'm very well thank you', and 'How do you do?'

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Business Introductions and Greetings

This paragraph introduces the scenario of a business meeting where Sam Eriks and Victor Tang meet for the first time. They exchange greetings and introduce themselves, with Sam mentioning his own company specializing in seafood export and packaging. The paragraph also covers the importance of using formal greetings like 'Pleased to meet you' and the Western custom of shaking hands. It provides phrases for asking about someone's company and position, and emphasizes the value of sharing information proactively to ease conversation.

05:03

🔍 Navigating Formality in Business Interactions

The second paragraph delves into the nuances of using formal titles versus first names in business settings. It illustrates how Victor invites Sam to use his first name after the initial formal introduction, indicating a shift to a less formal interaction. The paragraph also demonstrates how to introduce people to each other, highlighting the importance of sharing full names and job positions to facilitate a meaningful conversation. It includes the use of phrases like 'How do you do?' for formal greetings and provides guidance on making introductions that make both parties feel comfortable.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Introduction

Introduction in the context of this video refers to the process of meeting and greeting someone new, typically in a business setting. It is a crucial aspect of professional etiquette, as it sets the tone for future interactions. In the script, Sam introduces himself to Victor by saying, 'Hello, I don't think we've met. Sam Eriks.' This is a polite and common way to initiate a conversation with someone you do not know.

💡Pleased to meet you

This phrase is a formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time. It conveys a sense of politeness and respect. In the script, Victor responds to Sam's introduction with 'Pleased to meet you,' which is an appropriate response to being introduced and helps establish a friendly and professional relationship.

💡Sales Representative

A sales representative is a person who is responsible for selling products or services on behalf of a company. They are often the primary point of contact between the company and its customers. In the video, Victor mentions that he is the 'sales representative for this region' for OceanWide, indicating his role in promoting and selling the company's products in a specific geographic area.

💡CEO

CEO stands for Chief Executive Officer, the highest-ranking executive in a company who makes major corporate decisions, manages operations, and represents the company to the outside world. Sam identifies himself as the 'C.E.O. of a small export and packaging company,' highlighting his leadership role and the scope of his responsibilities in his business.

💡Export and Packaging Company

An export and packaging company specializes in preparing goods for international shipping and ensuring they are packaged securely and appropriately for transport. Sam's company specializes in seafood, indicating that they handle the logistics of exporting seafood products to various markets. This is relevant to the video's theme of business interactions and the importance of understanding one's industry.

💡Competitive Market

A competitive market refers to an industry where there are many sellers and buyers, and the products or services offered are similar. This often leads to intense competition among businesses. In the script, Sam mentions that the seafood market is 'very competitive,' emphasizing the challenges and opportunities in his industry.

💡Formal Titles

Formal titles, such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms., are used to address individuals in a respectful and professional manner, especially in business settings. In the video, Sam initially addresses Victor as 'Mr Tang,' but Victor requests to be called by his first name, indicating a shift from formal to more informal interaction.

💡Introduction Phrases

Introduction phrases are used to facilitate the meeting and greeting process in social and professional settings. Phrases like 'Let me introduce you to someone' and 'This is...' are used to connect individuals and provide context about their roles and relationships. Sam uses these phrases to introduce Victor to Lin, ensuring that both parties have the necessary information to engage in conversation.

💡Position

A position refers to a job or role within an organization. It is often used interchangeably with 'job,' but can be more formal. In the script, both Sam and Victor describe their positions, with Victor saying he is a 'sales representative' and Sam identifying himself as the 'C.E.O.' This helps establish their professional identities and the nature of their work.

💡How do you do

This is a formal greeting used when being introduced to someone for the first time. It is similar to 'hello' but is more formal and is often used in business or formal social settings. In the script, Lin greets Victor with 'How do you do Mr Tang?' and Victor responds with 'I'm very well thank you,' which is a polite and standard response to this greeting.

💡Business of English

The term 'Business of English' in the context of this video refers to the use of the English language in professional and business contexts. It encompasses the vocabulary, phrases, and etiquette necessary for effective communication in the workplace. The video script focuses on teaching these skills, such as how to introduce oneself and others, ask about someone's job, and use formal greetings.

Highlights

Introduction of self and others using the phrase 'Hello, I don't think we've met.'

Formal greeting with 'Pleased to meet you' and the importance of stating one's name.

The Western tradition of shaking hands as part of the introduction process.

Inquiring about someone's company affiliation using various questions like 'What company are you from?'

Describing one's position using formal titles such as 'I'm the sales representative for this region.'

The significance of stating one's job role when asked 'Who do you work for?'

Using the phrase 'Please call me [first name]' to transition to a less formal interaction.

Introduction of colleagues using full names and positions to facilitate conversation.

The four-part structure of a proper introduction: full name, position, company, and job role.

Using the phrase 'How do you do?' as a formal greeting in business settings.

Responding to 'How do you do?' with 'I'm very well thank you.'

The importance of using a falling tone when asking questions in English to sound friendlier.

Offering information about oneself proactively to make conversations more relaxed.

Practicing introduction phrases with characters Sam, Victor, and Lin to enhance communication skills.

Reviewing phrases for self-introduction and introducing others in a business context.

The significance of using full names and positions when introducing someone to ensure comfort and clarity.

Concluding the session with a reminder to share information about oneself and to use full names when introducing in English.