5 Conversation Starters

“Do you know what is the most common question men ask at business networking events?” one of the participants in my leadership program asked. She went on to say that she had been conducting informal research and learned that men most commonly start conversations with, “How’s business?”

Since then, I’ve noticed that a woman who was the CEO of a large financial institution will often lead with that question – rather than reconnecting about our children.

So, when you’re at a business event and meeting people from outside your company (which, of course, is a very wise thing to do!) here is a great conversation starter:

1. How’s business? I’m just back from vacation horse-camping in Yellowstone National Park (an amazingly rejuvenating experience that I heartily recommend). Over the campfire, a group of us who were strangers got to know each other and one of the topics of conversation was how the economy was impacting our businesses – including healthcare and printing in the Netherlands (hope to visit there, soon).

If asking about business doesn’t seem like the right place to start, here are 4 other conversation starters:

2. What brought you to this event? variation: How’d you decide to come to this event?

3. How long have you been a member? Follow-up with, how has being a member benefited you/your business?

4. What did you think of the speaker? Follow-up with your thoughts, especially how the content could apply to your work/business.

5. The trusty old, “So, tell me, what do you do?”

Coming prepared with conversation starters is a great confidence booster. No more worrying about “what will I talk about?” But that’s not enough. As a woman, be prepared to offer information about yourself. You’ll want to make sure you have a great “elevator pitch.” And, you’ll want to come prepared with a Courageous Ask™. (What’s a Courageous Ask™ – it’s an unabashed, focused and clear request for assistance. More on that later.)

Other women will likely ask about you, but men often won’t. They will expect you to want to learn about them! So, you have to be prepared to insert information about yourself. At least that’s been my experience. What’s been yours?

Network ON!
By Susan Colantuono, CEO and Founder Leading Women and author of No Ceiling, No Walls