Social Protocol for Introducing People in a Business Situation
In a business setting, always introduce people by saying their title and full name first, and then follow with a brief interesting or relevant piece of information about the people you are introducing.Example: When introducing Sally Rider, one of your advertising and marketing managers, to Dr. Jennifer Wilkins, a business client, you introduce Sally (a subordinate employee) to the senior professional (in this case, the client):
"Dr. Jenkins, this is Sally Rider, our top advertising and marketing executive who will be personally handling your account with us. Sally, this is Dr. Jennifer Wilkins. She heads the women's education department at the Advanced Institute for Business Women. Dr. Wilkins is interested in new ways to market their education programs to women."
If the person you are introducing has no title, you do not know their title, or it would seem too formal for a particular setting, you can offer their name first, but still followed with information about what they do:
Example: This is Margaret Dixon. She heads up the new software development team at ABCDE, Inc.
How to Respond to an Introduction
When someone has just been introduced to you, your response should be genuine, short, and simple. You should also should repeat the person’s name at the end of your greeting.Repeating the name of the person you were just introduced to serves two purposes: it shows polite respect and it helps you to remember the person’s name. You can also add a brief comment about the person (not about yourself):
Examples:
- ”It is so nice to meet you, Dr. Wilkins. I have followed your work for years with much enthusiasm.”
- ”It is wonderful to finally meet you, Dr. Wilkins. I look forward to working with you.”
