Introducing others and making connections in business means acting as a bridge between professionals—presenting colleagues, superiors, or clients to each other in a way that builds rapport, respect, and collaboration. It involves much more than simply stating names. Effective introductions clarify each person’s role, establish relevance, and often open the door to productive working relationships.
At the C1 level, you are expected to use precise, advanced linking language, appropriate titles, and contextual information, helping people connect smoothly and with confidence.
They build trust and credibility: How you present others reflects your own professionalism and respect for both parties.
They facilitate collaboration: A thoughtful introduction can highlight common goals or relevant experience, sparking new business opportunities.
They enhance organizational culture: Effective connectors help create a positive, inclusive environment where all voices are valued.
They support business objectives: Networking is vital for sharing information, finding resources, and advancing careers.
A high-level business introduction of others typically includes:
Proper use of names and titles (to show respect and context)
A brief description of each person’s role or expertise
The reason for the introduction or shared context
Linking language to show relevance or previous connection
An invitation for further conversation or collaboration
Let’s explore each element in depth.
Before making an introduction—especially between a superior and someone junior, or between a client and a colleague—ensure that both parties are comfortable with the introduction.
“Would you like me to introduce you to the project manager?”
“May I put you in touch with our lead consultant?”
Always introduce the person with higher status or seniority first. Use their full name and, when relevant, their title and role:
“May I introduce you to Mr. Richard Thomas, our Director of Operations?”
“This is Dr. Lisa Kim, Head of Research at Biogen.”
Explain why you are making the introduction or what connects the individuals. This could be a shared project, area of expertise, or mutual professional interest:
“Richard oversees our global logistics strategy and has extensive experience in supply chain management.”
“Lisa and I have worked closely on a number of innovation projects.”
Encourage the parties to speak with each other or suggest a topic to help them connect:
“I thought you two would benefit from discussing the recent changes in trade regulations.”
“You might have met at the annual industry conference last year.”
Signal openness to future interaction:
“I’ll let you two get acquainted.”
“Feel free to exchange contact details and follow up after the meeting.”
“May I introduce you to…”
“Allow me to present…”
“Let me put you in touch with…”
“I’d like to introduce you to… who oversees…”
“This is… who leads our… department.”
“You may already know… from…”
“He/she is in charge of…”
“We’ve worked closely on…”
“You might have met at…”
“He/she brings a wealth of experience in…”
“They are currently managing our… project.”
“He/she and I collaborated on…”
“Given your shared interests in…”
“I believe you two have a lot in common regarding…”
“Both of you were involved in…”
Focus on roles and current projects, fostering collaboration.
“Everyone, this is Ahmed Patel, who is joining us from the R&D team. He’s in charge of the new product launch.”
“Let me introduce our new team member, Maria Lopez. She specializes in data analytics and will be supporting our ongoing research.”
Highlight mutual interests and encourage further discussion.
“Let me introduce you to Karen, who also works in sustainable finance. Karen, this is David from GreenFund. I think you both have a lot to share about green investment strategies.”
“You might have met my colleague Sarah at last year’s sustainability forum. She oversees our regional partnerships.”
Use extra clarity with names, titles, and functions, and pay attention to hierarchy.
“Allow me to introduce Dr. Sato from our Tokyo office. He’s responsible for strategic partnerships in Asia-Pacific.”
“This is Ms. Olga Ivanova, our Head of Legal Affairs for Eastern Europe. Olga, this is Mr. Tomás Alvarez, who leads our expansion team in South America.”
Demonstrate professionalism and clarify everyone’s role.
“Mr. Bennett, may I introduce you to our project manager, Jennifer Lin? Jennifer has overseen similar projects for several key clients in the finance sector.”
“Let me put you in touch with our technical lead, Ravi Singh. He will be your main point of contact for all system integration matters.”
In some cultures (e.g., Japan, Korea, Germany), hierarchy and titles are extremely important. In others (e.g., the US, Australia, Scandinavian countries), a more relaxed approach is typical. Adjust your introduction style accordingly.
Be attentive to surname and given name order (common in East Asia), and do your best to pronounce names accurately. If you are unsure, politely ask:
“Could you please clarify the pronunciation of your name?”
In face-to-face settings, a handshake (if culturally appropriate) can accompany the introduction.
In virtual meetings, maintain eye contact and speak clearly when making the introduction.
“Team, I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Mark Davies, who oversees our international expansion strategy. Mark has just returned from leading the Southeast Asia market entry project and brings a wealth of experience in cross-cultural management. Mark, this is the core team for our upcoming Africa initiative.”
“Jessica, may I introduce you to Alex Chen, who is in charge of sustainability initiatives at EcoSphere? Alex, Jessica has been leading renewable energy investments at GreenWave. I believe you both attended the Climate Action Summit last year.”
“Mr. O’Reilly, allow me to put you in touch with our lead developer, Nisha Patel. Nisha and I have worked closely on several enterprise-level software implementations, and she will be coordinating your onboarding process.”
“Everyone, please meet Priya Sharma, our new digital marketing manager based in Singapore. Priya is currently managing our regional campaign for the Asia-Pacific market. Priya, this is the European sales team.”
This polite, formal expression shows respect and signals a thoughtful introduction.
“May I introduce you to our CEO, Ms. Elaine Wright?”
“May I introduce you to Dr. Keller, who oversees the research division?”
This structure efficiently communicates the person’s name and main responsibility.
“This is James Lin, who oversees our cybersecurity operations.”
“This is Fatima Abdullah, who leads our regional sales.”
This phrase is particularly useful in emails or when suggesting follow-up outside the current meeting.
“Allow me to put you in touch with our technical support team.”
“Allow me to put you in touch with Daniel, who can assist with logistics.”
Omitting key context or roles:
Simply saying “This is John” leaves the other person uncertain about John’s relevance.
Using informal or unclear language:
Avoid: “Hey, this is Mike. He does something in marketing.”
Better: “This is Michael Smith, who leads our digital marketing initiatives.”
Ignoring hierarchy or seniority:
Always address the more senior person first.
Failing to link the parties:
Highlight what connects them or why they should interact.
Neglecting cultural etiquette:
Use appropriate titles and observe local customs.
Suggest exchanging contact information.
Recommend a follow-up meeting or discussion.
Offer to provide more background or context if needed.
Reference shared interests or goals.
Mention past collaboration or mutual contacts.
Encourage collaboration on a specific project or topic.
Assign a “buddy” or mentor for new colleagues.
Introduce newcomers to multiple team members to broaden their network.
(verb) – to be responsible for, supervise
Example: “She oversees all product development.”
(noun phrase) – the person who handles communication for a particular project or client
Example: “He’ll be your main point of contact during this process.”
(noun) – working together
Example: “They collaborated on several research papers.”
(noun) – specialized skill or knowledge
Example: “Her expertise is in digital marketing.”
(noun) – a person who facilitates communication between groups
Example: “She acts as our liaison with the technical team.”
(noun) – a positive, trust-based relationship
Example: “Building rapport is crucial in client relations.”
(noun) – a new project or action
Example: “He led our latest sustainability initiative.”
Role-play introducing two colleagues at a multinational conference. Provide their full names, roles, and a shared point of interest.
Write an email to introduce a new client to your project manager. Clearly state each person’s role, the purpose of the introduction, and encourage them to connect.
Practice introducing a colleague to a business leader, using linking language to emphasize mutual interests.
Simulate a virtual team call, introducing a new member to an international team. Focus on clarity, relevance, and welcoming language.
Typically, introduce the more senior person first, then the other party. For example: “Ms. Lee, may I introduce Mr. Patel, our new analyst?”
Include names, roles, and one or two relevant details. Avoid lengthy biographies; focus on what’s relevant for the current context.
Apologize briefly and clarify: “I’m sorry, could you remind me of your official title?” or “Would you mind introducing yourself?”
Yes, if they have met before or share a mutual project, mention it to make the introduction warmer and more meaningful.
“Everyone, may I introduce you to Ms. Sophia Turner, who is in charge of corporate communications at our London headquarters. Sophia, this is our new regional director for Europe, Mr. Lars Petersen.”
“Allow me to put you in touch with Dr. Maya Singh, who leads the R&D team at BioNext. Maya, this is Simon from EcoTech; you might have met at the Global Innovation Forum last year.”
“Dear Ms. Novak,
I’d like to introduce you to our project manager, Tomislav Ivanic, who will be overseeing your account. Tomislav has extensive experience managing large-scale IT implementations. I’m confident you’ll enjoy working together.”
At C1 level, introducing others and facilitating connections is a strategic skill. You become not only a communicator but a connector, opening new doors for collaboration and strengthening your professional network. By using advanced language patterns, demonstrating cultural awareness, and providing relevant context, you help create lasting business relationships.
Practice making introductions in varied scenarios: meetings, networking events, virtual calls, and emails.
Use linking language and appropriate titles every time you connect people.
Gather feedback from colleagues on your clarity, tone, and professionalism.
Observe and adapt to different cultural expectations in international contexts.
Reflect on the outcomes: did the connection lead to further discussion or collaboration?
By mastering these techniques and language patterns, you will stand out as a valued connector and facilitator in the modern business world—an essential skill for any C1-level professional aiming for leadership and influence.