Starting a conversation with a new prospective business contact can be a little daunting.
​​The abbreviation "FORM" is a simple memory aid that can help you navigate the discussion smoothly. 
FORM stands for:
Family, 
Occupation, 
Recreation,
Message. 
​
This concise tutorial will walk you through a step-by-step process on how to lead an effective ice-breaking conversation with a prospective business contact.
Family:
Begin by offering a friendly greeting and introducing yourself. Ask non-intrusive questions about the person's family, such as "Do you have any siblings?" or "Tell me about your family." Listen attentively to their responses, and show interest by nodding in agreement, demonstrating that you are genuinely engaged in the conversation.

Occupation:
Transition the discussion to their occupation. Use prompts like "What do you do for a living?" or "Tell me about your job or role as..." Again, listen carefully to the details they share about their work, and try to remember relevant information.

Recreation:
Next, direct the conversation towards their interests and hobbies. Inquire about their leisure activities with questions like "What do you enjoy doing in your free time?" or "How do you unwind after a long day?" Show genuine interest in their passions by adding cues like "That sounds interesting" or "Tell me more about that." This will encourage them to share more about their personal preferences.

​Message:
As the discussion comes to a close, summarize the key points you've learned about the person's family, occupation, and recreation. This demonstrates that you were genuinely interested and attentive during the conversation. Briefly share a little about your family and interests to keep the dialogue flowing, but remember to keep it concise. Generally, people prefer to talk about themselves, and you want to keep the focus on the prospect and fulfil their needs.

• Think about the messages you can derive from the information you have gathered from what the prospect told you, and how you can connect any of it to your business offer.
• In turn, propose your key message (offer) as the solution that the person may need and/or desire. ​

The following Seven Steps Of Success In Attraction Marketing will serve as a very good foundation in understanding the concept and it will assist you to easily apply it for your benefit.