Business English for Meetings | English for Business Communication | Ep 1

Summary

In Episode 1 of 'English for Business Communication by Preply,' the focus is on mastering business English for meetings. Key tips include clarifying the meeting's purpose, managing time effectively, involving the right participants, and ensuring clear next steps. Through a real-life scenario with Kobe, the episode demonstrates useful phrases like 'agenda,' 'update,' 'disagree,' and 'recap' that help structure and guide productive meetings. This episode provides a solid foundation for anyone looking to improve their business communication skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Meetings are an essential part of business communication and help move projects forward.
• 😀 It's important to assess whether a meeting is truly necessary or if the desired outcome can be achieved without one.
• 😀 Clearly define the expected outcome of the meeting and communicate it in the invite or agenda to keep the meeting focused.
• 😀 Avoid trying to achieve too many goals in one meeting, as it can lead to inefficiency and confusion.
• 😀 If meetings are unproductive, shorten the meeting time to increase focus and efficiency (e.g., 30-minute meetings instead of 1 hour).
• 😀 Bringing together the right people, considering their perspectives and relevant information, is crucial for a successful meeting.
• 😀 A facilitator is key to managing meeting time, ensuring equal participation, and keeping the meeting on track.
• 😀 A well-organized agenda helps participants stay on task, especially when there are clear items to discuss within a set timeframe.
• 😀 Every meeting should have clear next steps to ensure that participants know what actions to take post-meeting.
• 😀 Follow up after the meeting by sending minutes or action points to ensure accountability and track progress.

Q & A

Why are meetings considered essential in business?

Meetings are crucial to move projects forward, particularly in areas that rely on teamwork. They help ensure clear communication, alignment on goals, and efficient decision-making.

What is the first tip for ensuring a successful meeting?

The first tip is to ask yourself if the expected outcome of the meeting can be achieved without holding one. If not, clearly define the outcome and share it in the meeting invite or agenda.

Why is it important to avoid trying to achieve too many goals in a single meeting?

Trying to achieve too many goals can lead to confusion and a lack of focus, making it harder to reach productive outcomes. It's important to keep meetings focused on a few specific goals.

How can you make meetings more productive if they tend to run unproductively?

You can reduce meeting durations by cutting time limits down. For example, try scheduling a 30-minute meeting instead of an hour, and ensure the meeting is focused on a few key agenda items.

What role does the facilitator play in a meeting?

The facilitator manages the meeting time effectively, ensures equal participation, and keeps the meeting on track, ensuring that it doesn't drift off topic or exceed its time limit.

What should be done at the end of the meeting to ensure clarity?

At the end of the meeting, the meeting owner or facilitator should summarize the outcomes and next steps. This helps to clarify what was accomplished and what actions need to be taken.

What is the purpose of having an agenda for a meeting?

An agenda provides structure to the meeting by outlining the topics to be discussed. It helps participants prepare, stay on track, and ensures that the meeting covers all necessary points within the allotted time.

What was Kobe's approach to managing time during his meeting?

Kobe managed time by setting clear expectations for the meeting. He limited each person’s update to five minutes, keeping the meeting concise and efficient. He also ensured everyone could add questions to the chat to address them later.

Why did Kobe emphasize quick feedback and discussion on sales strategies?

Kobe emphasized quick feedback to ensure that all team members could provide input on the sales strategies, particularly when he noticed disagreements, such as the campaign not being suitable for Europe.

What is the significance of summarizing the next steps at the end of a meeting?

Summarizing the next steps ensures everyone is clear on their responsibilities moving forward. It helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that the meeting's decisions are acted upon promptly.