Penny Stones Blog
Archive for the ‘Small Talk’ Category
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Wow! We’re the HOT IDEA OF THE DAY :
Scatter a handful of Penny Stones on banquet rounds, and ask attendees to answer the questions printed on each. Questions include, “What is a favorite summer memory?” and “What would you love to try?” The topics will get strangers talking, and the stones themselves, made of recycled glass, might become a conversation piece as well. Each bag of 21 stones costs $15; aim to purchase one stone per person. If you have more time than stones, ask attendees to answer the opposite of the questions, i.e., “What are you loath to try?” (330) 998-2509; pennystones.com
Link: http://www.meetings-conventions.com/articles/penny-for-your-thoughts/d36108.aspx
Tags: communication skills, conversation starters, ice breakers, interpersonal skills, meeting planners, Penny Stones
Posted in Conversations, Penny Stones, Small Talk, conversation starters, ice breakers, icebreakers | No Comments »
Friday, June 11th, 2010
When starting a new conversation, which is the best question to ask?
- What do you do for a living?
- What’s new?
- Are you a Browns fan?
- None of the above
The answer is 4 – none of these questions are great openers.
“What do you do for a living?”: Unless you’re at a work function or event like this, try to avoid career talk. Consider the possible outcomes: their occupation may be of no interest to you, or in this economy, they could be out of work. Ultimately, it’s better to try to talk about something that you are truly interested in.
“What’s new?” or “How are you?”: Too open-ended, you’ll get equally boring answers like “Nothing” or “fine”
“Are you a Browns fan?”: A yes or no answer is not a great opener, and only a die-hard fan would admit to being a Browns fan these days.
The best kinds of questions to ask are open-ended: start your question with Why, How or In what way…
Closed-ended questions ask for one- or two-word answers. Try to avoid: Are, Do, Who, When, Where, Which, Have you… ?
Here are some stock questions to keep on hand:
“What person would you most like to meet?” (pause) “Why?”
You can also introduce a topic with “My friends and I were just talking about…” and add what you’d like to talk about:
* Favorite place to visit
* What you’d love to try
* Your dream job
* Favorite childhood show, game or gift
* Favorite summer memory
Stock questions above are from Penny Stones - great ice breakers on glass stones.
Tags: communication, communication skills, conversation starters, ice breakers, Penny Stones
Posted in Conversations, Penny Stones, Small Talk, communication skills, conversation starters, ice breakers, icebreakers | 2 Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Here are some rules to go by when mingling:
- Most conversations = a few minutes
- Use information you’ve heard to change topics
- Optimum mingle time = 10 minutes
- Keep eye contact while the other person is talking. You can look around the room while you have the floor.
Tags: communication, communication skills, conversation, conversation starters, first impressions, interpersonal skills, parties, tips
Posted in Conversations, Small Talk, communication, communication skills, conversation starters, ice breakers, icebreakers, interpersonal skills | 10 Comments »
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
Tammy Gentry, creator of Penny Stones at The Gathering
Inspirational Gift Trends Bulletin just reviewed gifts from The Gathering, a conference in Louisville, KY for Christian bookstore managers, April 21-23, and Penny Stones made the list:
Although Tammy Gentry’s Penny Stones (www.pennystones.com) conversation-starter sets are already in some chain stores, she was glad to introduce the line-launched two years ago and a top 10 Moms in Business award winner last year-to independents.
Containing glass stones stamped with ice-breaker questions for families, friends and groups, the sets-including a Faith-Based edition as well as Love & Marriage and New Parents-retail for $14.95 each. “The response has been great,” Gentry said. “People are looking for things that are new and different and reasonably priced.”
Tags: conversation starters, Gifts, ice breakers, icebreakers, Penny Stones, Small Talk
Posted in Gifts, Penny Stones, Small Talk, Trade Shows, conversation starters, hostess gifts, ice breakers, icebreakers, interviews | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
While many people struggle to find the “perfect” opener, research has shown that what you say is relatively insignificant. The important thing is to say something instead of letting an opportunity pass you by. If the other person is interested, they’re likely to help you continue the conversation.
According to Alan Garner, author of Conversationally Speaking, there are really only three topics to choose from:
1. The situation
2. The other person
3. Yourself
And three ways to start:
1. Asking a question
2. Giving an opinion
3. Stating a fact
Asking a question gets the other person involved, so that’s the best option. Find something to say that you will both be interested in, either about the situation or them. People like to talk about themselves and will be pleased to respond to your questions or comments. So when in doubt, ask an ordinary question about the other person. Once you start talking, you’ll find common interests and get the conversation going.
So the next time you see someone you’d like to meet, strike up a conversation. And don’t worry too much about what you say. Remember that the act of saying something is more important than the words themselves.
Tags: communication, communication skills, conversation starters, first impressions, ice breakers, icebreakers, interpersonal skills, topics
Posted in Conversations, Small Talk, communication, communication skills, conversation starters, ice breakers, icebreakers, interpersonal skills | 6 Comments »
Monday, April 5th, 2010
Research has shown that people love the sound of their own name. When you’re introduced to someone, say their name a few times during your conversation. It benefits you in a few ways; it helps you remember their name and you’re showing you paid attention during the introduction. You’re also making the conversation feel more personal.
If you forget someone’s name, ask them what it is. I met a man a few times who had a unique name and I had a hard time remembering it. When I ran into him again, I apologized and asked what his name was. He let me know he appreciated me asking. Most people did not ask and he knew his uncommon name was hard to remember.
Tags: communication, communication skills, conversation, family relationships, first impressions, interpersonal skills, interviews
Posted in Small Talk, communication, communication skills, ice breakers, icebreakers, interpersonal skills, interviews | 1 Comment »
Monday, March 29th, 2010
I have been asked to give a talk on conversation skills at the Phi Mu National Convention this summer, July 14-17. Here’s a description from their alumni magazine, The Aglaia:
Conversation Coaching
Do you ever find yourself searching for a conversation topic? Dealing with awkward silences during a recruitment party or dinner party? It can certainly be uncomfortable!
Tammy Gentry, BH, founder of Penny Stones, will present a convention workshop, courtesy of Phi Mu Foundation, on the Art of Conversation. Each attendee will learn the basics of communication and conversation excellence as well as receive a specially-designed Phi Mu-inspired Penny Stone.
Don’t miss it! For more on Tammy and Penny Stones, visit www.pennystones.com.
Link: http://www.phimuaglaia.com/secondary.aspx?item=Winter Spring 2010/Foundation/Convention Fun with Foundation.xml&secondary=Winter Spring 2010/Foundation/Convention Fun with Foundation/Conversation Coaching.xml&page=2
Tags: communication, communication skills, conversation, conversation starters, interpersonal skills, interviews, Penny Stones
Posted in Conversations, Penny Stones, Small Talk, communication, communication skills, conversation starters, entrepreneur, interpersonal skills | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
You only have about 10 seconds to make a good first impression. And one of the best things you can do is to make the other person feel like they are the center of the conversation. Ask them open-ended questions. Let them know you’re listening with subtle clues: use eye contact, nod your head, chime in with “Interesting!”, “I see.” or “Tell me more.”
When they ask you a question, keep your response to three sentences. If they’re interested in hearing more, they’ll ask a question. Otherwise, start another topic or ask them another question.
In a situation where there are many people to meet, keep your focus on the person you are talking to and then transition politely. You can quickly change your good impression to bad if you start looking around the room for the “next/better” person to meet.
If you listen and show that you care about the people you meet, they’ll want to introduce you to their friends. They’ll look forward to seeing you again. And isn’t that what making a good impression is all about?
Tags: communication, communication skills, conversation, conversation starters, good listener, interpersonal skills, listening, listening skills, relationships
Posted in Conversations, Small Talk, communication, communication skills, ice breakers, icebreakers, interpersonal skills, interviews, listening | 3 Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010
My friend just let me know this tip: When you are meeting someone and shaking their hand, look in their left eye (the one on the right when you’re facing them). It has been found that when someone looks in your left eye, it helps build trust.
For a good handshake, hold your hand out, grasp web to web, or palm to palm, (no wimpy fingers), shake once, and return your hand to your side. You should hold your hand straight up and down. If someone holds their palm out to you, that’s generally submissive and if they turn their hand over on top yours, they want to control the situation.
Place your nametag on your right side at eye level. The person you’re shaking hands with will look up from your hand and read your name (as you look in their left eye).
Tags: communication, communication skills, interpersonal skills, interviews, parenting, tips
Posted in Small Talk, communication, communication skills, ice breakers, icebreakers, interpersonal skills, interviews | 9 Comments »
Monday, October 5th, 2009
As parents, we want to prepare our kids for the challenges they will face. But it’s not always easy to know just what to say. Some topics are more difficult to discuss than others. The website Talk with Your Kids is dedicated to helping parents talk to their kids”…before everyone else does”.
Here are 10 tips for talking with kids about tough issues. Click here for the whole article.
1. Start Early
2. Initiate Conversations With Your Child
3. …Even about Sex and Relationships
4. Create an Open Environment
5. Communicate your values
6. Listen to Your Child
7. Try to be Honest
8. Be Patient
9. Use Everyday Opportunities to Talk
10. Talk About it Again. And Again.
Tags: conversation, conversation starters, family, kids, parenting, talk, tips, topics
Posted in Conversations, Small Talk, conversation starters, family, kids, parenting, relationships | No Comments »
