Working Life > Competences > Skills > Communication > Small Talk

Small Talk: How to Small Talk

Definition, Explanation

The importance of small talk for business and career is still underestimated. The art of small talk is an essential skill for making contacts and networks, and also for talks and negotiations. Who is in good command of this art easily opens a talk, finds commonalities with talking partners and builds up sympathy, mitigates critical and tense situations and makes contacts in a way that keeps him a favourite place in the memory of the others.

Not everyone has this social competence from cradle, but it can be practised. In some professions like in sale and customer contact, small talk is indispensable for being successful. Typical situations are starts of talks, in elevators, at receptions, events, business luncheons, but also in the hallway or in the cafeteria.

Tips, Checklist

• At an event, sound out who you are interested in
• Greet, introduce yourself and ask twice if you do not get their names. The handing over of a the card supports remembering names
• Talk about anything, like the wheather, the location or the occasion of the concourse itself, or make a compliment about the outfit of your talk partner
• Take up such points and ask for details, e.g. where he bought the fancy briefcase, or where she copes with the current wheather indeterminacy, how the avenue was made, how he likes the event
• Be a good listener. Ask open questions, that is questions that are possible to answer other than with Yes or No. Show with questions in between, with summaries, with “m hm” “yes...”, “I see” or just with nodding that you are an interested listener
• Avoid monologues about your favourite topics. Rather find topics that your talk partner likes and about which exchange is possible. Current news from economics, politics, from professional topics, the vacation time or the education or the occupation, are suitable neutral intros
• Get to know more about the other one
• Approach the other one openly, kindly, with a smile, and do not fold your arms. Best hold your arms at your waist, loosely in front of your body so that the finger tips meet in the middle
• Keep eye contact
• Do not have barriers in forms of tables, prefer sitting diagonally across the other one (except during meals)
• Communicate lively. Underline your words by gestures and facial expressions
• Be cautious with jokes. They are often found oafish or even invidiuos
• Avoid talking about too controversal political issues, religion, wages, critique of the event and about very private subjects like diseases, marriage, or relationship-problems
• Be careful not to offend people by being self-opinionated or attracting attention at all costs
• If you do smalltalk for opening a longer professional talk or even a negotiation, then not more than 10 to 15 percent of the time should be spent smalltalking
• For making aquaintances and contacts, 5 to 10 minutes are sufficient. End the talk politely, e.g. with “I’m glad to have met you”
• And: Practise small talk in every-day stuations at the bus station, on the train, in the shop, at private events and do not be discouraged by some first flops

Last update: 06/08/2010