How To Conduct A Business Meeting In English Like A Pro
Business meetings are a vital part of professional communication. Whether you're leading the discussion or participating as a team member, knowing the right phrases and strategies—especially when managing disagreements—can make your meetings more effective and collaborative.
In this post, we’ll walk you through essential phrases, tips for handling disagreements diplomatically, and strategies for making your meetings more productive.
1. Essential Phrases for Leading and Participating in Business Meetings
Whether you're running the meeting or actively contributing, these phrases will help you sound professional and stay on track.
A. Leading a Meeting
Opening the Meeting:
“Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Let’s get started.”
“Thank you for joining today’s meeting. I hope everyone is doing well.”
“I’d like to start by reviewing the agenda for today’s meeting.”
Setting the Agenda:
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss [topic].”
“We will focus on [specific issue], and by the end, we should have a clear action plan.”
“Let’s begin with [agenda item].”
Encouraging Participation:
“I’d like to hear everyone’s thoughts on this.”
“Please feel free to add anything as we go along.”
“Does anyone have any questions before we move on?”
Managing Time:
“Let’s make sure we stay on track with our agenda.”
“We’re running short on time, so let’s move to the next point.”
“We still have [X] minutes left, let’s try to wrap up this discussion.”
Ending the Meeting:
“Before we end, let’s summarize the key takeaways from today’s meeting.”
“Is there anything else anyone would like to add before we close?”
“Thank you all for your time and input. We will follow up on the action points discussed.”
B. Participating in a Meeting
Offering Your Opinion:
“I believe [idea or suggestion].”
“In my opinion, we should consider [suggestion].”
“I think it’s important to also look at [aspect].”
Asking for Clarification:
“Could you clarify what you mean by [term]?”
“I didn’t quite catch that—could you say it again?”
“Can you elaborate on [specific point]?”
Agreeing with Someone:
“I agree with what [Name] just said.”
“That’s a great point—I think we should move forward with that.”
“I think we’re on the same page about this.”
Disagreeing or Offering a Counterpoint:
“I understand your point, but I think we should also consider [alternative idea].”
“While I see your point, I believe [reasoning]...”
“I have a different perspective on this. Here’s why…”
Asking for Input:
“What do you think about [idea]?”
“Does anyone have any feedback or suggestions on this?”
“I’d love to hear other people’s thoughts.”
2. Managing Disagreements Diplomatically
Disagreements happen—but when handled with diplomacy, they can lead to stronger solutions and better collaboration.
A. Stay Calm and Respectful
“I understand that we may have different opinions on this.”
“Let’s take a step back and consider all points of view.”
“I see where you’re coming from, but here’s my perspective.”
B. Acknowledge the Other Person’s View
“That’s an interesting point. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“I can see how you might feel that way, but let me explain my reasoning.”
“You raise a valid concern, and here’s how I see it.”
C. Propose a Solution or Compromise
“Maybe we can find a middle ground here.”
“How about we try [compromise solution] and revisit it later?”
“I think we could combine both of our ideas for a better solution.”
D. Keep the Discussion Focused
“Let’s focus on the main issue and not get sidetracked by other points.”
“I think we’re veering off-topic. Let’s stick to the agenda.”
“Can we return to the main issue and address this later?”
E. Agree to Disagree (if necessary)
“I think we may have to agree to disagree on this point.”
“It seems that we have different views, but I think we’ve explored this enough for now.”
“We might need to table this discussion for another time.”
3. Tips for Conducting Productive Business Meetings
Want to get better results from your meetings? Use these best practices:
Set Clear Objectives: Know what you want to achieve.
Encourage Open Communication: Make sure everyone feels comfortable speaking up.
Stick to the Agenda: Avoid tangents and stay focused.
Assign Action Items: End every meeting with clear next steps.
Follow Up: Send a summary email to keep everyone aligned.
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