The first two minutes with a new client or colleague set the tone for everything that follows. These are the lines that make you sound calm and prepared.
1. Your First Day
Manager: Welcome aboard, Nadia.
Nadia: Thank you. It's good to be here.
Manager: Let me introduce you to the team.
Nadia: I'd like that.
Manager: They're in the meeting room.
Nadia: Lead the way.
2. Meeting a New Client
Daniel: Good morning. You must be Ms. Chen.
Ms. Chen: Yes. Nice to meet you.
Daniel: I'm Daniel Reeves. I handle your account.
Ms. Chen: Great. I've heard good things.
Daniel: Thank you. Shall we start?
Ms. Chen: Please go ahead.
3. Introducing Two People
Sara: Tom, have you met Priya?
Tom: I don't think we have.
Sara: Priya leads our design team.
Tom: Nice to meet you. I'm in sales.
Priya: Good to meet you, Tom.
Sara: You two should talk.
4. Small Talk Before a Meeting
Ben: Did you find us okay?
Lea: Yes, no trouble at all.
Ben: How was the traffic?
Lea: Not too bad this morning.
Ben: Can I get you a coffee?
Lea: I'm fine, thanks.
5. Exchanging Contact Details
Omar: Do you have a card?
Rita: Here you are.
Omar: Thank you. Here's mine.
Rita: What's the best way to reach you?
Omar: Email, usually.
Rita: I'll send you a note this week.
6. Asking What Someone Does
Ana: What do you do at Meridian?
Ken: I'm in operations.
Ana: How long have you been there?
Ken: Three years now.
Ana: Do you enjoy it?
Ken: Most days, yes.
7. Meeting a Visitor at Reception
Receptionist: Good afternoon. How can I help?
Mr. Vale: I have a meeting with Ms. Okafor.
Receptionist: May I have your name?
Mr. Vale: Julian Vale, from Bright Logistics.
Receptionist: Please take a seat. She'll be right down.
Mr. Vale: Thank you.
8. Ending a First Conversation
Lin: It was good to meet you.
Marc: You too. Thanks for your time.
Lin: I'll follow up by email.
Marc: Perfect.
Lin: Have a good trip back.
Marc: Thank you. Take care.
Words to know
| welcome aboard | said to someone joining a company Welcome aboard, Nadia. |
| handle | to be responsible for something I handle your account. |
| lead | to be in charge of a team Priya leads our design team. |
| reach | to contact someone What's the best way to reach you? |
| operations | the part of a company that runs the daily work I'm in operations. |
| card | a small card with your name and contact details Do you have a card? |
| take a seat | a polite way to say sit down Please take a seat. |
| follow up | to contact someone again after a meeting I'll follow up by email. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Welcome ________, Nadia.
B: Thank you. It's good to be here.
2. A: Good morning. You ________ be Ms. Chen.
B: Yes. Nice to meet you.
3. A: Tom, have you ________ Priya?
B: I don't think we have.
4. A: What's the best way to ________ you?
B: Email, usually.
5. A: May I ________ your name?
B: Julian Vale, from Bright Logistics.
6. A: It was good to meet you.
B: You too. Thanks for your ________.
Show the answers
1. aboard 2. must 3. met 4. reach 5. have 6. time
Common mistakes
Not: I am in operations since three years.
Say: I've been in operations for three years.
For something that started in the past and is still true, use have been + for.
Not: Nice to meet you. (to someone you already know)
Say: Nice to see you again.
Meet is only for the first time. After that, always use see.
Not: Give me your card.
Say: Do you have a card?
A direct order sounds rude to a client. Ask a question instead.
Your turn
Imagine a client is visiting your office today. Say these five things aloud, one after another.
- Greet a visitor you have never met and say who you are.
- Say what you do and how long you have done it.
- Introduce two colleagues to each other, one sentence each.
- Ask for someone's contact details and offer your own.
- End the conversation and say what you will do next.
Quick review
Record yourself answering one question out loud: So, what do you do? Keep it to three sentences — your role, how long, and one thing you are working on now. You will be asked this at every meeting, every conference and every interview, so it is worth having a ready answer that does not need thinking about.