Meetings

The world of business is the world of meetings. Business people are people who are always busy and organized. They arrange a lot of meetings to discuss different aspects of their work. They never make a decision without any discussion. To arrange a meeting is not easy. You should know the interests of your colleagues, their timetable and opportunities to get prepared for a meeting.

To arrange a meeting one should:

• State a problem or a question to discuss

• Make an appointment

• Set an agenda

• Confirm everything

4. Keeping a calendar is a part of arrangement. Use a schedule to be organized and develop your personal success skill.

Learn business abbreviations:

appt = appointment ASAP = as soon as possible

brkfst = breakfast Co = company

dept = department Mgr = Manager

mtg = meeting re: = reference (about)

VP = Vice-President w/ = with

2. You need some words to feel certain while arranging a meeting. Match the words with their definitions.

appointment (to make an appointment) agenda [e’dзende] (to set an agenda) a full agenda schedule [‘/edju:l] (tight or open) marketing strategy work out budget [‘bлdзit] confirm fix (a date or a price)

to decide definitely an arrangement to meet or visit sb at a particular time plan for selling a product the matter of business to be discussed at a meeting to develop, to plan a lot to do a program of work to be done or of planned events; timetable to provide evidence or state that a report, an opinion, etc. is true or correct a plan of the money available to sb and how it will be spent over a period of time

Meetings are essential for business. They allow you to observe the behavior of others, to make some progress. Whereas many people enjoy a business lunch, combining work and pleasure, the more formal meetings are 100 percent business. We are gong to hold a meeting to organize social event.

2. Study the language of any meeting. Do back translation.

• Good afternoon (Ladies and) Gentlemen, (and a special welcome to our guests today).

• I would like to introduce … to you/ you to our guest speaker.

• I would like to begin by introducing …

• The reason I have called this meeting is …

• The agenda for this meeting is as follows: first… then …

• I would like to open this meeting by passing out an agenda/ list of topics in the order to be followed.

• Let us begin.

Agreement or disagreement.	Making suggestions.	Expressing certainty and doubt.	Asking for help.
I agree with you. You are right. I like your idea. That’s a good idea. I support your idea. I think we may have a disagreement. I don’t think it will work. I vote against it. I am inclined to agree/ disagree.	I would like to suggest … I have an idea. Why don’t we...?	I am sure that it will work. I am confident it will succeed. It is unlikely to work. I have doubts that it will work. This particular deal is unlikely to be profitable for us.	I am sorry, I didn’t follow you. I did not catch that. What did you say? Excuse me, would you mind repeating that, please? Would you mind spelling that (word, name) for me?