Networking Expert Offers Top Five Ways to Maximize Your Business Approachability



May 3, 2005 -- No matter how amazing your product or service really is, customers want to do business with people who are approachable. But what does "approachability" mean Scott Ginsberg, internationally recognized expert, professional speaker and author of the recently published The Power of Approachability offers the following "Top 5 Ways to Maximize Your Business Approachability" to help you become an unforgettable communicator - one conversation at a time.

1) Be Ready to Engage
The word approachability derives from the Latin verb appropriare, which means "to come nearer to." So, remember that approachability is a two way street. It's both you stepping onto someone else's front porch ; and you inviting someone to step onto your front porch . Be "ready to engage" with conversation topics, questions and stories in the back of your mind ready to go as soon as you meet someone. This will help you avoid those awkward "How's the weather" type of discussions.

2) Discover the CPI
This acronym stands for the Common Point of Interest. It's an essential element to every conversation and interaction. Your duty as you meet new people, or even as you talk with those you already know, is to discover the CPI as soon as possible in order to establish rapport. You can do this by asking the right types of questions, i.e., those beginning with "What's your favorite..." "Tell me the best..." "When was the last time..." and the like.

3) Flavored Answers
Another effective technique to increase your approachability is to offer "Flavored Answers to Fruitless Questions." Instead of answering the standard "How are you" with "Fine," try "Amazing!" "Any better and I'd be twins!" or "Everything is beautiful." Your conversation partners will instantly change their demeanor as they smile and, most of the time, inquirer further to find out what made you say that answer. What's more, offering a true response will magnify the way you feel, and that's the perfect way make yourself personally available to others.

4) Don't Cross Your Arms
Even if it's cold, even if you're bored, even if you're tired and don't want to be there - don't cross your arms. It's a simple, subconscious non-verbal cue that too many people practice which hinders their approachability. As a result, people won't want to "bother" you. They will form the impression that you are defensive, nervous, judgmental, close minded or skeptical.

5) Your Nametag is Your Best Friend
According to Sigmund Freud, a person's name is the single context of human memory most forgotten. And people are less likely to approach you if they don't know (or forgot) your name. So, for other people's sake, wear your nametag. Secondly, it's free advertising for you and your company. Third, it's a proven scientific fact that nametags encourage people to be friendly and more approachable - even if you don't feel like wearing one.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Front Porch Productions
PO Box 410684
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-878-5419 e-mail protected from spam bots
http://www.hellomynameisscott.com

ABOUT SCOTT GINSBERG
Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. As the owner of the St. Louis based company Front Porch Productions, Scott works with businesses, students and organizations around the country who want to become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. Scott is the only person in the world who wears a nametag all day, every day to encourage approachability. He has been internationally recognized as "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" by the Washington Post, CNN, USA Today, Paul Harvey and The Associated Press and he contributes regular columns to a variety of online and print publications.





Networking Expert Offers Top Five Ways to Maximize Your Business Approachability