Answer:
compliment
Explanation:
Compliment is defined as a positive assessment of a person or a situation that is expressed in spoken medium.
It can be used in the middle of a conversation to smoothen the interaction or it can be used at the beginning of a conversation.
In the given instance where Jordan begins his sales presentation by saying to the owner, "Congratulations on being awarded the 'Innovative Automaker of the Year.' It is great to work with one of the pioneers in the automobile industry." He is using a compliment to begin his speech