1 Vocabulary Meetings
Dialogue
JOAN:Okay,Let's get started.Do you all have the agenda?
JOAN:The purpose of this meeting is to talk about our relationship with
SunSet Computers since the merger.
JOAN:The five of us are here because we do the most business with them.
JOAN:The first item on the agenda is news about Sunset.Are you all aware that Archie Morgan,their CEO,has resigned?
HARRY:I didn't know that.
SARRY:NO,Neither did I.
JOAN:Yes,well,our relationship with him just wasn't working.Sunset's chief
financial officer Mary Ozaki,will also be leaving.
SIMON:That's good news.
SIMON:I'm sorry,but it's time for a change over there.
JOAN:Okay,Let's move on to the next item.
JOAN:I'll probably be flying out to meet the Sunset executives on Monday.
JOAN:The CEO'S in a meeting about this right now.I'll have more information later today.
JOAN:The last item on the agenda is our problems with Sunset.
JOAN:I've been hearing some complaints from different people here,but I need more detailed information.
SALLY:If you ask me,the primary problem's communication,or lack of it.
JOAN:Could you be more specific,Sally?
SALLY:Well,they're very slow in answering our questions.
SALLY:For instance,just yesterday,I phoned their director of marketing
and left a message.Then I sent an email.Still no answer.
HARRY:Do they even have cellphones?
HARRY:I'm serious.I can't get cellphone numbers from them.
TODD:A huge challenge for me is figuring out who's responsible for what.
SIMON:I have to say that their director of engineering,Ed Fife,is incredible.He gets me what I need quickly,and it's always accurate.
JOAN:Hmm.This is all very interesting.
agenda
merger
aware
resigned
executives
challenge
figuring out
accurate
Nouns, verbs and adjectives for meetings
Here are some useful nouns for business meetings:
There are five items on today's agenda.
There are five items on today's agenda.
The merger of our two companies is still going ahead. The merger of our two companies is still going ahead.
The final decision will be made by the CEO.
The final decision will be made by the CEO.
The CFO is responsible for reporting all company income. The CFO is responsible for reporting all company income.
John is our new marketing executive.
John is our new marketing executive.
Our biggest challenge is to increase our market share. Our biggest challenge is to increase our market share.
Here are some useful verbs for business meetings:
We have to figure out a solution to this problem. We have to figure out a solution to this problem.
Their CEO resigned last week.
Their CEO resigned last week.
They just fired their marketing executive.
They just fired their marketing executive.
Here are some useful adjectives for business meetings:
The figures in the report were not accurate.
The figures in the report were not accurate.
I was not aware how serious the situation was.
I was not aware how serious the situation was.
Meetings
Select the correct words.
I'm sure if we all work together, we can figure it out.
The financial report must be completely accurate.
Any last minute items to be added to the agenda.
It's not one company buying another,It's a merger.
A good manager can deal with any challenge.
The board of directors forced her to resign.
Listen and record what you hear.
I wasn't aware of the merger until yesterday.
How many items are there on the agenda?
We have to figure out a way to solve the problem.
2 Vocabulary Changing values
Let's get started.
Do you all have the agenda?
The purpose of this meeting is to ...
The five of us are here because ...
The first item on the agenda is ...
Starting a meeting
At the beginning of a meeting, it is usually necessary to get everyone's attention. Check to see if everyone has an agenda. Be sure to thank everyone for coming, and tell them the purpose of the meeting.
OK, everyone. If I could have your attention, please. Let's get started.
OK, everyone. If I could have your attention, please. Let's get started.
Does everyone have an agenda? As you can see, we have three items to discuss today.
Does everyone have an agenda? As you can see, we have three items to discuss today.
It is important to thank the participants for coming.
Thank you all for coming today. I know how busy you all are.
Thank you all for coming today. I know how busy you all are.
Make sure the participants understand the purpose of the meeting.
The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the CFO's resignation and her replacement.
The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the CFO's resignation and her replacement.
We are here because a competitor has proposed a merger with our company.
We are here because a competitor has proposed a merger with our company.
You can use the agenda to start your meeting.
The first item on the agenda is a company update from the CEO.
The first item on the agenda is a company update from the CEO.
OK. Let's begin with item number one, the company update. OK. Let's begin with item number one, the company update.
Connect the matching texts
Thank you all for coming.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the merger.
We are here to figure out a solution.
The second item on the agenda is the update.
If I could have your attention,please.
Let's get started.
A CEO is starting a meeting.Listen to the audio and answer the questions.
Listen and record that you hear
Thank you all for coming. I know that you're busy.
The purpose of today's meeting is a company update.
The first item on the agenda is an update from the CFO.
If I could have your attention, please.
OK, everyone, let's get started.
Does everyone have an agenda?
3 Reading Reading an agenda
Read the meeting agenda.Select the correct answer.
Proposed merger with Intech Industries
Agenda
Jeff Grimes: Update from the CEO
Latest on the proposed merger – consequences for our company
Sheila Jacobs: Update from the CFO
Financial report on proposed merger
Bob Lewis: Update from the CTO
Technology strengths and weaknesses of both companies
Open discussion of pros and cons of merger
Jeff Grimes: Challenges, next steps
Match the words that commonly go together. Connect the matching texts.
face challenges
figure out
agenda items
pros cons
open discussion
Reading an agenda
Move the text to the correct gaps.
Agenda
Jeff Grimes: Update from the CEO
Latest on the proposed merger – consequences for our company
Sheila Jacobs: Update from the CFO
Financial report on proposed merger
Bob Lewis: Update from the CTO
Technology strengths and weaknesses of both companies
Open discussion of pros and cons of merger
Jeff Grimes: Challenges , next steps
4 Expressions Discussing company problems
Stating problems
Stating problems
When stating problems, it is important to be clear and concise. Use the words problem or challenge to clearly identify the problem.
The primary problem is a difference in management style. The primary problem is a difference in management style.
The biggest challenge we face is growing competition. The biggest challenge we face is growing competition.
Clarifying and giving examples
If a problem is not clear, ask for clarification.
A: The biggest problem is their CFO.
The biggest problem is their CFO.
B: Could you be more specific?
Could you be more specific?
Use details and examples to be specific.
For instance, they don't return our phone calls. For instance, they don't return our phone calls.
The best example I can give is our decreasing market share. The best example I can give is our decreasing market share.
connect the matching texts.
We need more detailed information.
For instance,out market share is small.
There are a number of issues.
Could you be more specific?
What's the primary problem?
We face many challenges.
Listen and record what you hear.
OK, everyone. Could I have your attention?
Does everyone have a copy of the agenda?
Does everyone have a copy of the agenda?
The purpose of our meeting is to discuss salaries.
The primary problem is our competitiveness.
The primary problem is our competitiveness.
For instance, we're losing sales in Asia.
This is the biggest challenge we face.
For instance, we're losing sales in Asia. Good morning, everyone.
If I could have your attention, please.
There are two items on the agenda: the merger and sales issues.
No problem. Please have a seat.
Well, the primary problem is our market share.
Yes,It will be the most challange for us now.
That's what I want to talk about. Let's get started.
I don't think so. Sales is a big issue.
5 Final Task Opening a meeting
You are starting a meeting. Get the group's attention, tell them the purpose of the meeting – to discuss a possible merger and problems with sales – then move on to the first item on the agenda. Listen and record the correct response.
Good morning, everyone.
If I could have your attention, please.
There are two items on the agenda: the merger and sales issues.
No problem. Please have a seat.
Well, the primary problem is our market share.
Yes,It will be the most challange for us now.
That's what I want to talk about. Let's get started.
I don't think so. Sales is a big issue.