The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- and Leave a Positive Impression by Debra Fine

From the Publisher

Nationally recognized communication expert Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies anyone can use to make small talk — in any situation

Do you spend an abnormal amount of time hiding out in the bathroom or hanging out at the buffet table at social gatherings? Does the thought of striking up a conversation with a stranger make your stomach do flip-flops? Do you sit nervously through job interviews waiting for the other person to speak? Are you a “Nervous Ned or Nellie” when it comes to networking? Then it's time you mastered The Fine Art of Small Talk.

With practical advice and conversation “cheat sheets,” The Fine Art of Small Talk will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of social situation, from lunch with the boss to an association event to a cocktail party where you don't know a soul.

The Fine Art of Small Talk teaches you how to:

-Start a conversation even when you think you have nothing to say
-Avoid foot-in-mouth disease
-Steady your shaky knees and dry your sweaty palms
-Prevent pregnant pauses and awkward silences
-Adopt listening skills that will make you a better conversationalist
-Approach social functions with confidence
-Feel more at ease at parties, meetings, job interviews, and trade shows
-Turn every conversation into an opportunity for success

Debra Fine is a former engineer, now nationally recognized as a speaker and trainer. Organizations such as IBM, Wells Fargo Bank, University of Chicago, Lockheed Martin, CVS Pharmacy, and the U.S. Treasury Department, along with hundreds of insurance, real estate, legal, financial, and health care associations and singles groups, regularly host her Small Talk programs.

Library Journal

These two books treat similar subjects, but the contrasts are significant. One covers the entire landscape of speaking, whereas the other focuses just on "small talk." The title of Speak from the Heart describes the book's very solid premise. Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and motivational speaker Adubato emphasizes the importance of being genuine as he attempts to cover every conceivable speaking situation, including public speaking, private conversations, group discussions, and listening. He guides readers in the use of eye contact, developing a conversational style, and being comfortable with their message. Despite many charming personal anecdotes and stories drawn from other sources, this book remains a heavy read. Ironically, while Adubato tells us to make a connection with our audience rather than to "cover the material," he does a much better job of covering the material than of connecting. In contrast, Fine fully engages her audience. She involves readers in the discussion and gives lists of lines people can use to start, maintain, or end a conversation. She discusses conversation topics and how to use them and also includes quizzes, throws in a poem, and scatters a few cartoons to break up the text. Originally released as an audiocassette in 1997, this work comes across much like one of her seminars on small talk. The Fine Art of Small Talk does everything that Speak from the Heart says should be done. Adubato's book is best for academic libraries or large public and business libraries. Fine's is a better choice for most public libraries, as well as business libraries. David Leonhardt, Toronto Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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