Manage cookies

Cookie Settings

Cookies necessary for the correct operation of the site are always enabled.
Other cookies are configurable.

Essential cookies

Always On. These cookies are essential so that you can use the website and use its functions. They cannot be turned off. They're set in response to requests made by you, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms.

Analytics cookies

Disabled

These cookies collect information to help us understand how our Websites are being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customise our Websites for you. See a list of the analytics cookies we use here.

Advertising cookies

Disabled

These cookies provide advertising companies with information about your online activity to help them deliver more relevant online advertising to you or to limit how many times you see an ad. This information may be shared with other advertising companies. See a list of the advertising cookies we use here.

WORK, TRENDS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, IMPLEMENTING AI

How in 3 minutes to understand a person’s context, their focus, and find the point where you can be genuinely useful to them

How in 3 minutes to understand a person’s context, their focus, and find the point where you can be genuinely useful to them.

Three questions I ask at any business meeting — from a conference to a short Zoom call.

When I meet someone at an event, it’s important for me to understand in 2–3 minutes a) the context, b) their current focus, and c) how I can help this person—how I or my contacts could be useful.

Here’s the twist: I don’t need to drag information out of them; I start creating a space for a normal conversation, one they actually want to continue.

What questions to ask at a first business meeting

First question: “In what context are you working right now?”

I can rephrase this in simple terms as: “What are you working on right now?” or “What projects are you focused on this year?”

What matters is not the exact wording, but your genuine curiosity about the environment the person lives in: their industry, role, and decision-making level. This helps you understand what is definitely not worth talking about and where potential points of connection might be.

Second question: “What is your most important focus right now?”

Sometimes it sounds like this: “What task at work is worrying you the most right now?” or “What is the most important thing for you this quarter?” This question immediately shifts the conversation from job title to priorities and pain points. The person themselves indicates where they feel tension, interest, or ambition — and therefore where you can potentially be useful.

Third question: “Where can I be of help to you?”

I don’t ask it in the first 30 seconds; it comes up only once there’s at least a minimum level of trust. Another, softer wording might be: “Is there anything where my experience or contacts could be helpful?” or “If I could be useful, what might that look like?”

This kind of question shows that you intend to give first, rather than immediately ask for something.

What questions do you ask at a first business meeting?

These three questions work in any format — from an offline event to a short video call. They help you quickly move from the formal “What do you do?” to a real conversation and uncover the true value of the connection.

Share your 1–3 favorite questions for business meetings in the comments — I’m adding them to my collection of tried-and-tested phrasing.

Leonid Bugaev

is an expert in business communications, a corporate trainer, speaker, and conference moderator. He is the author of the books “Mobile Marketing”, “Mobile Networking” and "People Like Me: 99 Rules for Building Connections That Actually Matter."

Follow Leonid on Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss new publications. Also take a look at his business training programs on networking, B2B sales and trendwatching, as well as his books and interviews.

All blog articles