FACE to FACE

How to succesfully introduce ourselves is a really interesting debate…

Some like the formal:
“How do you do? I’m Mrs Humphreys, Head of Finance”
Others the informal:
“Hi, I’m Jane”

Both fail to make that crucial first impression…

The middle path would seem appropriate:

“Good to finally meet you; Jane Humphreys, Head of Finance”

(NOTE: This assumes they have had contact with the company at some point before, but does not necessarily mean they have had any contact with Jane Humphreys before.)

Other intelegant approaches

“Good [morning / afternoon] Jane Humphreys, Head of Finance”
“Hello; Jane Humphreys, Head of Finance”
or the simplest using effective body language:
Make eye contact, a quick nod of the head, extend hand, closed mouth smile:
“Jane Humphreys, Head of Finance.”

AVOID “My name is” at all costs: it sounds old-fashioned, and as though you are on a call to some airline or other to try to find out why your luggage is in another country from the one you’re stranded in without a change of socks…

A good tip: to remember a person’s name, use that name four times in the first four sentences. It really works:

“So Derek how was your journey?” “Right Derek, we have re-evaluated both the sales strategy and the goodwill.” “Derek, do you think we should take a seperate meeting for the amortization?” “Well Derek, coffee?” If handled correctly it does not sound strange and you really will remember the name…