This is one of my favorite questions when I first meet someone because it accomplishes two goals. Not only does it help break the ice during that sometimes awkward period just after you’ve introduced yourself, but it also gives you a chance to talk about something you both know a little bit about.

Another reason I like it is because it gives you the opportunity to make an “instant connection” with that other person. How? By providing valuable information they might not have had before. And as we all know, one of the keys to creating a solid business contact is to make a connection with that individual.

As an example of this, I was at a networking event one morning when I asked the gentleman I was speaking with where else he normally networked. He told me that as a matter of fact, he didn’t know of too many other places around town because he just moved to the area.

Well, that was music to my ears, because as someone who’s lived in Atlanta for almost five years, I like to consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to local networking events. So I gave him the names of a couple of groups off the top of my head, and I mentioned that I would shoot him an e-mail when I thought of some more.

You could almost see the relief in his eyes. He was genuinely grateful that I was helping him out with that information.

And that’s what I mean when I talk about creating a connection with someone, and developing a solid business contact. If that were you, would you remember me after that event? You bet!

This is another good question to ask early in the conversation because it’s a little “fresher” than the old approach, “So what do you do?” Everyone’s been asked that one before, and the new question gives you another option for getting that same information.

One caveat though: About 40 percent of the time I ask this question, people turn it right around and ask me the same thing. So don’t say I didn’t warn you!

This is a great question to ask during the latter stages of the conversation, and in my mind, really solidifies the exchange. Now you’re getting to know this person better because she’s providing some information that she probably hasn’t shared with very many people.

In other words, you’ve subtly moved the conversation from being strictly professional, to a more personable level. The end result will be a more engaging, thought provoking discussion that will keep your name at the top of everyone’s list.