'What time does the meeting commence?'
People take Business English courses because English is the language of the International business community.
Business people love meetings. As a business person you will attend (go to) many meetings. Here is some useful Business English you should know.
to adjourn a meeting (formal) = to end a meeting for a short time. To take a break.
'Let’s adjourn this meeting. We'll arrange to meet again next week.'
to attend a meeting = to go to a meeting
'I'll be attending a meeting today between 2 and 3pm.'
to brainstorm = working in a group to think of some new fresh ideas.
'Take a few minutes to brainstorm some ideas on a new name for this product.'
to cancel meeting = to decide that a planned meeting will not happen. The date is not changed.
'The boss has decided to cancel the meeting as he is no longer interested in the project.'
to commence = to begin/start a meeting.
'The meeting commences at 9:30. Please don’t be late.'
to hold a meeting = to be in charge of the meeting. It's your meeting, you are the chairperson.
'I'm holding a meeting on the effects of the increase in shipping costs.'
to over-run = to take longer than expected or was scheduled for.
'Sorry I'm late. My meeting over-ran by 15 minutes.'
to postpone a meeting= to hold a meeting at a later time or date than was originally planned.
'Let’s postpone the meeting until the report has been finished.'
to reschedule a meeting = to change the time of a meeting for a reason. It can be before or after the originally planned time.
'Did you hear? There's no meeting today. It's been rescheduled to tomorrow at 12.'
to wrap up a meeting (phrasal verb/informal) = to end a meeting.
'Let's wrap up this meeting. We're out of time.'
agenda = the topics to be covered in the meeting.
'Today's agenda covers our new policy on over-time pay.'
minutes = Notes taken about what is said and covered in a meeting.
'Mr. Khan. Can you take the minutes for today's meeting and then email them on to anyone who is not here?'
objectives = the goals of the meeting.
'The objective of this afternoons meeting is to agree on employees working hours.'
strategy = the business plan for success.
'Our strategy is to focus on our Asian market.'
