Chantal

I went to a networking lunch earlier this week, where I heard some great one minute introductions. One lady stood up and said that her ideal clients are dead! Then she told us that she’s a solicitor who specialises in wills and probate! Someone else chanted a Tibetan prayer (he takes people on spiritual journeys).

Telling a room full of people what you do in just one minute isn’t always easy. Sometimes a minute is all you have, so you need to think of ways of making a great impression. If you’re at a lunch or breakfast meeting, not only do you have to compete with everyone else in the room; you also have to compete with the food.

Instead of starting with your name and company name, why not trying asking a question or making a statement – it can even be controversial. Then, when you’ve got the attention of your audience, you can tell them who you are and what you do.

How about using a prop or two? Think of a visual way of communicating what you do so that people can really see what you’re talking about.

If you’d like more ideas on making a great impression when you go networking, come to a workshop I’m running in Oxford on 27 April. Email me or post a comment for more details.