Small Talk Englisch

old-fashioned secretaries: straightforward and down to earth.
The perfect receptionist should be outgoing.
Many VIPs appear snobbish and arrogant.
Most CEOs are determined to get their work done.
Successful headhunters are known to be highly competitive.
The new product manager seems to be very ambitious.
It seems to me that the purchasing manager is very demanding.
I agree that fashion designers should be imaginative.
Opinion has it that an experienced public relations director is understanding and a chief accountant should be most reliable.
    Being positive and complimenting / Komplimente machen
She looks very attractive and her baby looks adorable.
Beyond all question she is a very pretty person.
That's all very well, but he doesn't look very handsome.
With all due respect, she looks amazingly young for her age.
He is incredibly fit for his age.
She is unbelievably talented in coaching.
I believe that his presentation was extremely well received.
Your proposal was fabulous and of the highest quality.
Congratulations! You did such an excellent job.
    Meeting Customers / Kunden willkommen heißen
    Viele Leute beherzigen das alte Sprichwort: „Der erste Eindruck ist entscheidend“. Dies gilt nicht nur für das äußerliche Erscheinungsbild, sondern auch für die Wahl der sozialen Verhaltensmuster und des richtigen Tons: How do you do? ist sehr höflich und formell und wird in der Bank oder beim lawyer bei der ersten Begrüßung verwendet. Den freundlichen butcher oder den altgedienten postal clerk wird man eher gefühlsbetont und viel informeller begrüßen mit Hi dear! How are you today? Als Antwort schallt einem dann vielleicht ein Hi honey! What can I get you today? entgegen.
    Example
    George is the new director of sales for one of the leading car dealers of the whole region. One of his goals is to promote international business. Thus, he arranged for a meeting with his international colleagues.
    George: Good morning everybody and welcome to the headquarters of Qualitycars Germany.
    Thanks for coming to our first international meeting. I hope you had a pleasant trip and that your accommodations are fine. If there is anything we can be of help with, please talk to my secretary, Sue. What I would like to do today is give you a tour of the plant, discuss our latest sales figures and then have you introduce your ideas of how we can strengthen our international marketing strategies.
Useful phrases
    Way to the company / Der Weg zur Firma
Did you find us alright? – Thank you, you gave very good instructions.
Welcome to our company. Did you have any problems finding us?
Here you are. It's good to see you. Please sign in.
Hello everyone. So, you made it here on time in spite of the rush hour jam.
    Welcoming guests or customers / Gäste oder Kunden willkommen heißen
Welcome to our company!
On behalf of our company, I'd like to welcome you.
Thank you for coming to …
You must be our guests from France and Italy. Welcome. It's good to have you here.
May I take your coat? The check-room is right here.
Please take a seat. Mrs. Fine will be with you in a moment.
It's good to see you. Why don't you have a seat and relax a little? I'll let them know that you're here.
Make yourself comfortable. Please help yourself to some coffee, tea and donuts.
    Introducing the building / Räumlichkeiten vorstellen
Here's a map of the building. You're on the 5 th floor. The lounge and the rest-rooms are next to the elevator.
You're in front of the cafeteria. Your meeting will be in the conference room, two doors down on the left-hand side.
May I give you an overview of the building? Each floor has the exact same lay-out: four offices, one conference room and a lounge.
We reserved a little room for you. It's right next to the conference hall. You're welcome to leave your coats and jackets there and help yourself to snacks.
    Meeting regular customers / Stammkunden treffen
Hi, how have you been? – Nothing new.
Look who's here: our dear old friend Mark.
Hello Mrs. Rice. How are you today? My boss is expecting you. Please come on in.
Hello Larry, it's good to see you again. Tell me, how is your family? And how is business?
    Socializing Events at Work / Gesellige Treffen am Arbeitsplatz
    Für viele Leute sind gesellige Treffen am Arbeitsplatz mit negativen Emotionen oder gar mit Ängsten verbunden. Was soll man bloß sagen, um sich von seiner besten Seite zu zeigen und sich ja nicht zu blamieren? Worüber reden? Und wie viel? Über diese