Small Talk at Business Conferences: Phrasal Verbs and Cultural Tips

As an English and US Culture Coach, I not only provide language coaching but also guide my clients through the cultural nuances of U.S. culture, empowering them with cultural intelligence and effective success strategies.

This article will provide you with essential English vocabulary for networking at business conferences and the cultural tips needed to succeed in the competitive business environment of the United States. Let’s start learning!

Vocabulary

Break the Ice:

Initiate a conversation at business conferences by breaking the ice with a light-hearted comment or observation. For example, say, "I loved your speech today. What are your thoughts on the other topics discussed?" Asking an open-ended question makes it easier to continue the conversation.

  • To break the ice: To help everyone feel comfortable (at the beginning of a conversation, workshop, etc.)

  • Noun form: The icebreaker at the workshop was fun.

Get Across:

When talking to others, it's essential to get your ideas across clearly. Ensure that your message is concise and easy to understand.

  • To get across: To convey something.

Bring Up:

Steer the conversation toward relevant business topics by bringing up recent industry news or developments. For instance, ask, "Have you had a chance to bring up the latest market trends in your team meetings?"

  • To bring up: To mention something to someone.

Follow Up:

Building connections doesn't end with a single conversation. Follow up on discussions and promises made during the conference. For instance, say, "I enjoyed our conversation earlier. How about we follow up next week to discuss the potential collaboration we touched upon?"

  • To follow up on something with someone: To continue a conversation and take the next steps.

Look Into:

When discussing potential collaborations or projects, express interest in exploring further details. For example, say, "I'm interested in your team's recent innovations. Can we look into the possibilities of joint ventures or knowledge-sharing initiatives?"

  • To look into (here): To explore.

 
 

Cultural Tips

  • Ask open-ended questions.

  • Respond with positivity.

  • Be aware of how Americans use and understand vocabulary. For example, to their ears, a sentence like, "Our infrastructure is good," sounds like "our infrastructure is not great."

  • Be Punctual: Time is highly valued in the U.S. Arriving on time for conference sessions and meetings is crucial. Punctuality is a sign of professionalism and respect for others' time. Always respect others' time even beyond punctuality; make sure you are well-prepared and concise in your pitches. Americans don’t like meandering speech.

  • Mind Small Talk Etiquette: Engaging in small talk is common in American business settings. Be prepared to discuss non-work-related topics briefly, such as recent movies, sports events, or weekend plans. This helps build rapport before diving into more serious discussions.

My mission is to empower non-native speakers with English language proficiency and cultural intelligence to help them succeed. Ready to explore more idioms and enhance your language and cultural skills? Send me an email at office@lingualinkdc.net or connect on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/marikekorn. Elevate your language proficiency with LinguaLinkDC!

Marike Korn