ADV Business: Lesson 1: Mastering Professional Introductions & Small Talk

Lesson 1: Mastering Professional Introductions & Small Talk

C1 Business English Blog

Why It Matters

In the business world, first impressions really count. Whether you’re meeting a new colleague, client, or business partner, being able to introduce yourself confidently and engage in small talk builds trust and connection. This lesson will help you polish your professional image and sound natural in conversation.

Vocabulary Boost

Word / Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Industry	The business area you work in	I’ve worked in the logistics industry for 8 years.
Role	Your job or function	My role involves coordinating marketing campaigns.
Networking	Building professional relationships	I met my current client at a networking event.
To oversee	To supervise or manage	I oversee a team of six engineers.
Background	Your education and work history	I have a background in finance and operations.
Touch base (with)	To connect briefly for updates or introductions	Let’s touch base next week to follow up.
Small talk	Casual, polite conversation	We started with small talk before the meeting began.
Current projects	Work you’re doing now	I’m working on a product launch at the moment.

Useful Phrases for Professional Introductions

🔸 Self-Introduction

• I work as a [job title] at [company].

• I’ve been in this field for [X years].

• My main responsibilities include…

• I specialize in…

• I currently manage / oversee…

🔸 Asking About Others

• What do you do?

• What kind of work are you involved in?

• How long have you been in that role?

• What’s your company focused on?

🔸 Small Talk Starters

• Is this your first time at this event?

• How was your weekend?

• Have you worked with [Company] before?

• I heard you’re working on a new project – how’s it going?

Discussion Practice (With a Partner or Alone)

Speaking Task A: 90-Second Self-Introduction

Use this structure to guide your introduction:

“Hi, I’m [Name], and I work as a [Job Title] at [Company]. My main focus is [e.g., managing international logistics]. I’ve been in the field for about [X years], and I really enjoy working on [specific task or project]. At the moment, I’m involved in [current work or project].”

Speaking Task B: Conversation Roleplay

Choose one situation and practice:

• At a networking event

• At a conference coffee break

• Meeting a new client on Zoom

Try to include:

• 3 small talk questions

• 2 business-related questions

• 1 personal touch (e.g., “I love your city. Do you live nearby?”)

Here are Small Talk Business Questions tailored for a C1-level electrical engineer, to use in casual professional conversations:

💬 Small Talk Starters (General Business)

1. How's work going for you this week?

2. What kind of projects are you working on right now?

3. Has your team been busy lately?

4. Are there any interesting changes happening at your company?

5. How’s your industry evolving these days?

💼 Small Talk in Technical/Engineering Settings

1. Are you working on any new designs or installations?

2. How do you usually approach troubleshooting in your work?

3. What kind of systems do you usually work with?

4. How do you stay updated with new technologies in your field?

5. Do you collaborate often with cross-functional teams?

🌐 Cross-Cultural or International Business Contexts

1. Do you often work with teams in other countries?

2. How do you manage time zone differences in meetings?

3. Have you noticed any cultural differences in how people communicate at work?

4. Is English the main language you use in your job?

5. What’s your favorite part about working on international projects?

🔄 Follow-up Questions to Keep the Conversation Going

• Oh, that sounds interesting — how did that project turn out?

• Really? What kind of challenges came up with that?

• How long have you been in that role?

• Would you say your work is more technical or client-facing?

• What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Writing Task

Write a short professional introduction email to a new colleague.

Example Template:

Subject: Nice to meet you – [Your Name] Dear [Colleague's Name], My name is [Your Name], and I recently joined the [Department Name] team at [Company]. I work as a [Job Title], and I’ll be collaborating with you on [Project Name]. I’m looking forward to working together and learning more about your role. Please feel free to reach out anytime. Best regards,[Your Name]

Reflect & Discuss

1. What do you find challenging about introducing yourself professionally?

2. How is small talk used in your country? Is it part of business culture?

3. What impression do you try to make in a first meeting?

Homework

🎧 Find a short video where professionals introduce themselves (LinkedIn, TED, etc.) and write down three phrases you liked.

🎙 Record yourself introducing yourself and listen for fluency, tone, and vocabulary.