Materials Required Flipchart paper Markers Recommended Activity Facilitator divides the group into triads to practice effective introductions. Since this activity is short, participants are recommended to choose their nearest seatmates as their co-triad. In the first part, Person A introduces himself to the Person B using the steps shared in the presentation. In the second part, Person B introduces Person C to Person A using the guidelines provided. Encourage them to give feedback to one another. Delivery Tips Give plenty of examples. Making a Great First Impression If you want to make a good impression, know that you need to project 3 C’s: Confidence Having a straight but relaxed posture. Hold your head high and steady. Don’t slouch or slump. Moving in a natural, unaffected manner. Maintaining eye contact with the people you are talking to. Competence Exhibiting knowledge of your Know your way around the agenda. Being prepared for the meeting. Bring supportive materials to emphasize your points. Answer questions in a clear and professional manner, avoiding the use of slang or technical jargon. Asking relevant questions. Credibility Arriving on time. Being presentable (well-groomed and mindful of dress codes. Keeping true to your word. Estimated Time 10 minutes Topic Objective To present the elements of a good first impression.
Business Cards Effectively Networking is not complete without receiving or giving a business card. The business card is a way for you to follow up on the people you have met. Likewise, it is a way for them to contact you for further meetings. More than that, your business card is a way to brand yourself. Professional-looking business cards send the message that you’re professional. Adding your company motto or tagline in your business advertises you and what you’re all about. 5 Tips on Using Business Cards Effectively: be without your business cards! (Make sure there’s always a stack in your office desk, and in your wallet. You’ll never know; even a trip to the grocery story can present an opportunity to network. Follow the protocol on hierarchy. should not be given to senior executives that you meet, unless they’ve asked for one. Time the presentation of your card. Don’t just hand over your business card at any random moment. Handing a business card in the middle of a discussion can be an interruption, as parties would need to take a moment to give it a look. You also want to make sure that your card is perused at point when the other person can give it his or her full attention. The best moments to hand a card is when you’re asked for one, when you’re asked to repeat your name, or when someone offers to send you something. If the two organizations that you represent are to each other, although you haven’t met your host before, offering your card is probably best left to the end of the meeting. If your host is unfamiliar with your company, offering your card at the beginning of the meeting is good practice. Accompany your business card with an explanation of what you can offer them. When you hand another person your card, give a brief "action recommendation." This can increase the likelihood of them contacting you again. For instance you may say: “I think I can help with your PR concerns, Mr. Johnston. Here is my card.” You may also ask for referrals. Invite the person to send your contact details to anyone they know who can use your services or products. When receiving a business card, show the person that you value their card. Look at the business card for a few seconds. Comment about the card. Let them see that you take care in storing their card as well, instead of just jamming it in your pocket.