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Business English Meetings: Responding to Suggestions in English | Business English Course

Business English – Learn with Business English Pod

280K views 11 years ago

Warm-up Questions

In business meetings, what are some polite ways to disagree with a suggestion?
What’s the difference between accepting a suggestion and rejecting a suggestion in a professional way?
Why might “responding to suggestions” be an important skill in meetings?

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Business English Meetings: Responding to Suggestions in English | Business English Course

Meeting scenario: choosing a spokesperson (00:00 – 03:20)

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1. What is the team choosing a spokesperson for?

A new office location
A new product advertisement
A sports event sponsorship
A company training program

2. Why does one speaker doubt the idea of using an overweight business executive?

Customers prefer someone who looks fit
The executive does not speak English well
The executive is not famous enough
The executive is too expensive

3. What key requirement is mentioned for the spokesperson because of the target markets?

They must be a professional runner
They must be under 30 years old
They must be from the company’s home country
They must be liked in both the UK and the USA

Business English Meetings: Responding to Suggestions in English | Business English Course

How to reject suggestions politely (03:20 – 05:27)

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1. What polite phrase is used to interrupt before rejecting an idea?

Let’s stop talking now.
That’s not acceptable.
Sorry, can I come in here?
I completely disagree.

2. Which structure is recommended for rejecting a suggestion politely?

Change the topic without responding
Praise the idea, then explain you’re not sure it would work
Reject immediately to save time
Use humor to avoid saying no

3. Which expression is presented as another way to soften a rejection (similar to 'to be honest')?

As far as I’m concerned
Frankly speaking
On the other hand
At the end of the day

Business English Meetings: Responding to Suggestions in English | Business English Course

How to accept suggestions + idiom + practice (05:27 – 10:51)

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1. Which phrase is given as a way to accept a suggestion?

Do you think so?
I can see one or two problems with that.
I’m not really sure about that.
Yes, it might be worth trying.

2. What does “kill two birds with one stone” mean in the lesson?

Solve a problem by avoiding it
Win against a competitor
Accomplish two things at one time
Make a risky decision quickly

3. In the rejection practice answers, which phrase is used to reject the idea of holding training in a pub?

Yes, it might be worth trying.
Ok, let's do that.
That would work really well.
Frankly speaking I can see one or two problems with that idea.

Business English Meetings: Responding to Suggestions in English | Business English Course

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1. What is the main communication goal of the lesson?

Learning polite ways to accept and reject suggestions
Learning how to give presentations with slides
Learning how to write marketing emails
Learning how to negotiate salaries

2. According to the lesson, what is important when rejecting suggestions?

Use very direct language to be efficient
Always give a long explanation
Avoid hurting people’s feelings
Reject every idea you don’t like immediately

3. Which is an example of an accepting response taught in the lesson?

That would work really well.
I’m not so sure about that.
Do you really think so?
I can see one or two problems with that.

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Business English Meetings: Responding to Suggestions in English | Business English Course

Which rejecting phrase from the lesson sounds most natural to you in a meeting, and why?
In your culture or workplace, is it normal to reject suggestions directly, or indirectly? Give an example.
Think of a recent meeting idea you didn’t agree with. How could you reject it politely using phrases from the video?
What are two different situations where you could “kill two birds with one stone” at work or school?