In making an introduction there are usually four steps: first,state the name of the person being introduced to.This is the “higher-ranking” person.Second,say “please meet”,or “this is”,or “I would like to introduce” etc.Third,state the name of the person being introduced.This is the “lower-ranking” person.At last,give some details of each other,as appropriate,adding snippet of information about a topic of common interest between the two parties,which will help them connect and pursue a conversation.
The following examples may help you to make the steps more detailed:
◇Introduce a relatively junior professional to a senior professional.“Ms.Manager,I would like to introduce Mr.Brandon Wood,the Chief Product Architect for our software division.”
◇Introduce a younger person to an older person.“Grandpa,please meet Adeline and Marcus,my neighbors.”
◇Introduce an employee to a customer.“Mr.Turner,I would like to introduce our plastics engineering team.This is John Smith,Carina Sterling and Warren Baker.All three participated in last week’s teleconference regarding product definition.”
◇Introduce a local guest to a from-another-town guest.“Richard,this is Terence.Terence is my colleague from work.Terence,Richard is visiting me from New York City.We shared an apartment when we went to school at Denver University.”
◇Introduce a younger host to a guest.“Grace,I don’t think you have met my daughter,Kathy.Kathy arranged for all the food at this festival party.Kathy,Grace is my Project Manager.”
◇Introduce a peer from your company to a peer from another organization.“Shirley,I would like you to meet Victoria,our Systems Engineer.Victoria,Shirley Williams is from Marketing.She is the Account Manager for Wal-Mart.”
Many people find it difficult to introduce people to one another and to help them establish a conversation.You can master the art of introductions with some practice and a sense of social and/or professional ranking.