Small Talk and Casual Conversations for Success

 Small talk plays an important part in everyday business life because it helps people build and maintain social relationships. It often plays a key role in the way conversations and relationships develop.

In this short workshop we look at successful communication strategies. Most English speakers are experts at socializing as they live in relationship-oriented cultures. What are their preferred strategies? What are the specific language tools needed?

Talking in business requires sensitivity particularly when women are communicating with men and men with women. We will look at the specific strategies that make for effective communication.

Small talk and casual conversation experts use every opportunity to extend their comfort zone by making their conversation partner feel comfortable. They are genuinely interested in other people and their curiosity lets them concentrate on meeting others rather than worrying about the impression they might make. People also appreciate the effort at communication that a non-native speaker is making. Experts focus on the positive in people, try to share interests and establish common ground. Mastering the art of small talk makes life easier and mixing with people more pleasurable.

I facilitate this workshop together with Janice Marks or on my own.

Janice Marks has many years of professional experience working as office manager and personal assistant in Scotland, London and Stuttgart and also as Managing Director of her own Typing Agency in London. After completing her training as coach and trainer in business communication at the private SAGE University, Janice is now self-employed and offers trainings and coaching. Janice has been living in Germany for 25 years and in Berlin since 2005.