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RECENTLY, I was talking to a member of a consulting firm. He said that his firm thought intellectual capital and the ability to articulate a message clearly were key to one's success.

But his problem was that he often found himself struggling when approached in the hall by the head of another department or a senior executive.

For him, it was much easier to speak in front of a large group than to master the skill of making small but smart talk by the water cooler. Larger venues allowed time for preparation. He told me: "The impromptu meetings really catch you off guard."

As he is spearheading a new department in his firm, he has opportunities to make a lasting impression of his business acumen on peers and superiors at the water fountain.

He usually walks away wondering if he has left them thinking more about his rambling communication skills than his brilliant ideas. He asked me: "How should I handle these moments appropriately?"

This is what I told him, and it is relevant to you if you are facing similar difficulties:

Outside your home, all speaking is public speaking. There is no such thing as private speaking.

It is true that many people are less intimidated when they prepare for a speech than when they must communicate off the cuff in more informal settings. But conversations in the lift or at the water cooler can do as much to boost your career as giving a formal presentation.

How do you master impromptu meetings and on-the-spot interaction? Here are some tips:

1 Have something to say that is of interest and is topical. Keep up with the news, and peruse your corporate report or newsletter regularly. Have two or three relevant things to say at all times. You can even "rehearse" with a trusted friend for those chance encounters with chief executive officers.

2 Focus on others. The silver bullet in business and politics is the Like Factor, but it is easy to concentrate so hard on what others are thinking of you, you forget that even VIPs care what others think of them.

Know what is going on in your company so you can congratulate people on their achievements or refer to a previous conversation, such as: "How was that trip you took last week?"

Your sincere interest in people will make a lasting impression.

3 Ask questions to start a conversation. A bright but introverted friend of mine has a gregarious wife who often drags him to parties where he does not know anyone. He used to sit in a corner with a drink in his hand, inspecting the carpet. Then I showed him the question-asking technique.

At the next gathering, he asked the hostess about her work.

"I'm an emergency room nurse," she said.

"What is your average day like?" he responded.

They talked for an hour. As the couple prepared to leave, the hostess told my friend's astonished wife: "Your husband is the most scintillating conversationalist I've ever met."

The moral is: When you make people feel important - letting them talk about themselves and sharing what they know - you earn a reputation as a brilliant conversationalist, even if you have hardly said a word.

4 Praise others. For example, be sure to boast about your entire team rather than your own efforts. Say how proud you are of them and offer highlights of their accomplishments. It makes you much more likeable, and the unavoidable implication is that you are a good leader.

5 Overcome shyness. When you find yourself in the lift with a VIP, forget the power plays, and do what would make your mother proud. Be cordial, smile, breathe deeply and take the initiative.

Say: "Good morning, Mr Big Shot. I don't know if you remember me. I am Julia Lee, and I work in the communications department."

Then congratulate him on a recent success - a speech, published article, contract or an award.

Or mention very briefly an achievement in your department: "Did you hear how we saved the company a quarter of a million dollars?"

You have got just seconds to connect, so do not try to pin the Big Shot down. Perhaps the Big Shot will stop to continue the chat when you reach your floor, but more likely, you have planted the seeds for future conversation.

Article by Patricia Fripp, a US-based executive speech coach and professional speaker on change, customer service and communication skills. E-mail: PFripp@Fripp.com Website: www.fripp.com