First Impressions in Business

First Impressions

• First impressions are crucial for building successful business relationships.
• A company's image is like an orchestra; no single element is responsible for success.
• First impressions are formed from several intangible factors, including reputation, principles, professionalism, creativity, and initial warmth.
• Cultural differences can influence first impressions (e.g., Finns dislike extravagance, Ghanaians prefer innovation, Qataris value personal rapport).
• Positive first impressions can create a favorable feeling in a few seconds leading to successful business relationships.
• Negative impressions can be formed equally quickly.

Matching Words to Definitions

• Extravagance: something that is expensive or wasteful.
• Creativity: the ability to produce something using imagination or artistic skills.
• Professionalism: a high standard of skill and behavior.
• Rapport: friendly understanding.
• Innovation: new ideas or methods.
• Reputation: the views generally held about somebody or something.
• Principles: strong beliefs that influence actions.
• Tradition: a way of doing something that's existed for a long time.

More Exercises for Practice

• Matching phrases and descriptions related to first impressions and business interactions.
• Example: "They'll be easy to work with - they certainly have..." matches to "a reputation for good communication with clients."

More Exercises - Additional examples for practice

• Example matching exercises involving phrases from the provided texts.
• Example matches:
  • "They’ll be easy to work with– they certainly have..." links to "a reputation for good communication with clients."
  • "If your office is clean and tidy, it creates..." links to "a more modern image."

Organizing words

• Matching words in lists with correct definitions, showing comprehension of concepts like professionalism, rapport, innovation, and reputation.
• Examples:
  • "pceslipnri" could be rearranged to "professionalism."

Formal Email Introductions

• Formal email introductions should include:
  • A greeting (Dear Mr./Ms./etc. + last name).
  • Introduction of self.
  • Details on what company you represent.
  • Explanation of how the recipient was found.
  • The purpose of the email.
  • Next steps/expected action from the recipient (e.g., call/reply).
  • Your full name.

Key Expressions for Email Writing

• Key phrases for introducing yourself, making follow-up calls, and arranging meetings.
• For email and call communication.
• Examples:
  • Introducing yourself: "My name's ... and I (have/ work for)..."
  • Making a follow-up call: "Hello, this is..."
  • Responding to a follow-up call: "Yes, I remember..."

Present Simple

• The present simple is used to describe routines, permanent situations, and habits.
• Example: "I usually arrive at work at about 8.30."

Present Continuous

• The present continuous is used to describe actions happening at the moment of speaking and ongoing, temporary, or future events.
• Example: "I am writing a report on the takeover."

Stative Verbs

• Stative verbs describe states, not actions, and are generally used in the simple form.
• Examples: know, agree, look, see, prefer, want, own, belong, taste.

Matching Phrases to Categories

• Matching phrases to categories like asking for details, giving details, checking details, and promising details.

Additional Notes 

• The notes provide an overview of the various aspects of communication, first impressions, and business interactions.

This quiz explores the significance of first impressions in building successful business relationships. You will learn how elements like reputation, professionalism, and cultural differences play a critical role in shaping perceptions. Test your understanding of key terms associated with first impressions and their impact.