By Hillary Gavan
For StatelineBusiness

BELOIT -- Getting a conversation started and exiting gracefully can be the key to successful business communication, according to Maureen Costello, president of Image Launch.

Costello gave a presentation titled "Miss Manners Goes Corporate: Apply Business Etiquette Techniques for Impact" at a Working Women's Wednesday at the La Casa Grande Banquet Hall in Beloit in January. As a consultant in the United States and Singapore for four years, Costello worked with large multinational companies. Some of her clients included ABN-AMRO, Hewlett-Packard, Baxter Healthcare and Edelman Public Relations.

One of her first job assignments was entertaining executives from Johnson Controls. Since then, she has honed her skills of conversation and encourages others to do the same.

Her first lesson was how to give the proper handshake. Costello said the handshake should be firm, last three to five seconds and include a slight nod and smile. Putting a hand over top of another one's hand indicates dominance and should not be used.

Costello then gave tips on introductions. With a wand and a star, she said to try to remember who is the "king" or "queen" and introduce them first. Someone who is more senior may be older. In a group of colleagues, the prospective client would be introduced first.

"When making introductions, it's important to give a hooking statement to jump-start the conversation," Costello said.

Acceptable conversation topics include company information, a thumbnail biography of one and his or her interests, professional experience, personal values, industry information, travel, hobbies, pets, sports, family, holidays and current events.

Topics to avoid include money, religion, politics, sex and disturbing news stories.

The best way to get a conversation rolling is to ask open-ended questions about acceptable topics. A shy person may want to prepare three possible conversation starters before attending a business function or social event.

"Even if you are an introvert, you have a responsibility to participate in the event and talk to the person seated to your left and to your right," Costello said.

Although most people are familiar with approaching people, introducing themselves and starting conversations, ending a conversation can be trickier.

Looking a person in the eye and saying how nice it was to meet him or her and excusing oneself is appropriate. It's critical, especially at a professional networking event, to talk to a few key people during the evening. Because introverts may be uneasy about letting go of someone talking to them, Costello advises introducing the shyer person to others.

It's impolite, however, to keep talking to someone while scanning the room for other important people to talk to.

In regard to phone conversations, Costello said it's important for the person who is in a hurry to pace him or herself and let the other person say goodbye first. In the case of conference calls, Costello advised smiling to loosen vocal chords and sound friendlier. A mirror in front of one's desk might be a good reminder to smile.

If a conversation ever turns professional, Costello's advice is to change the subject and direct a question to another person.

For more information on Costello and her company visit www.imagelaunch.com.