Welcoming / Relationship building
I would like to welcome you to … .
On behalf of ... I would like to welcome you to ...
It's my pleasure to welcome you to ...
On behalf of ... I would like to welcome you to ...
It's my pleasure to welcome you to ...
Suggesting a procedure/process
I would like to begin our meeting by suggesting the following procedure / agenda.
To start with, I think we should establish the overall procedure.
Does that seem acceptable to you?
Is there anything you'd like to change?
Is this okay with you?
To start with, I think we should establish the overall procedure.
Does that seem acceptable to you?
Is there anything you'd like to change?
Is this okay with you?
Proposing
Our basic position is ...
There are several options …
We propose / suggest …
Would it be possible …
How do you feel about …
Do you think you could consider …
There are several options …
We propose / suggest …
Would it be possible …
How do you feel about …
Do you think you could consider …
Responding to suggestions
As far as your proposal is concerned, we think that ...
May we offer an alternative? We propose that ...
We'd like to make an alternative proposal. We propose that ...
May we offer an alternative? We propose that ...
We'd like to make an alternative proposal. We propose that ...
Agreeing
I agree with you on that point.
That's a fair suggestion.
You have a strong point there.
I think we can both agree that...
That's a fair suggestion.
You have a strong point there.
I think we can both agree that...
Objecting
I understand where you're coming from; however,...
If you look at it from my point of view...
I'm afraid I had something different in mind.
That's not exactly how I see it.
From my perspective...
I'm afraid that may not work for me/us.
If you look at it from my point of view...
I'm afraid I had something different in mind.
That's not exactly how I see it.
From my perspective...
I'm afraid that may not work for me/us.
Reassuring
Let me reassure you that ...
I can promise you that ...
I can assure you that....
I can promise you that ...
I can assure you that....
Clarifying
Are you suggesting that …
Do you mean …
Does it mean …
If I understood you correctly …
What exactly do you mean by … ?
I'm not sure I fully understand your point.
What do you mean by …
Could you clarify one point for me?
Would you like to elaborate on that?
Could you be more specific?
So what you're saying is that you...
In other words, you feel that...
Let me make sure I understand what you’re saying.
Is that an accurate summary of where you stand?
Do you mean …
Does it mean …
If I understood you correctly …
What exactly do you mean by … ?
I'm not sure I fully understand your point.
What do you mean by …
Could you clarify one point for me?
Would you like to elaborate on that?
Could you be more specific?
So what you're saying is that you...
In other words, you feel that...
Let me make sure I understand what you’re saying.
Is that an accurate summary of where you stand?
Identifying obstacles
The main thing that bothers us is ...
One big problem we have is ...
The main obstacle to progress at the moment seems to be ...
Let's take a closer look at this problem.
What exactly is the underlying problem here?
I would like to analyze this situation and get to the bottom of the problem.
One big problem we have is ...
The main obstacle to progress at the moment seems to be ...
Let's take a closer look at this problem.
What exactly is the underlying problem here?
I would like to analyze this situation and get to the bottom of the problem.
Compromising
How flexible can you be on that?
I’m ready to sign that if you can … .
In return for this, would you be willing to ...?
May we offer an alternative?
We are ready to accept your offer; however, there would be one condition.
We feel there has to be a trade-off here.
We would be willing to ..., provided, of course, that ...
We'd be prepared to .... However, there would be one condition.
I’m ready to sign that if you can … .
In return for this, would you be willing to ...?
May we offer an alternative?
We are ready to accept your offer; however, there would be one condition.
We feel there has to be a trade-off here.
We would be willing to ..., provided, of course, that ...
We'd be prepared to .... However, there would be one condition.
What do you think is a fair way to resolve the situation?
Would you be willing to accept a compromise?
Would you be willing to accept a compromise?
Delaying
We'll have to consult with our colleagues back in the office. We'd like to get back to you on it.
We'll have to get back to you on it.
I don’t have the authority to make that decision by myself.
We'll have to get back to you on it.
I don’t have the authority to make that decision by myself.
Refusing a proposal
I am afraid we couldn’t agree to that.
I’m sorry, we can’t accept that.
I'm afraid your offer doesn't go far enough.
I'm sorry, but we must respectfully decline your offer.
No, that’s out of question.
No. I am not interested.
That would be very difficult for us because … .
That’s not really a viable option for us.
That’s totally unacceptable.
Unfortunately, we must decline your offer for the following reasons.
I’m sorry, we can’t accept that.
I'm afraid your offer doesn't go far enough.
I'm sorry, but we must respectfully decline your offer.
No, that’s out of question.
No. I am not interested.
That would be very difficult for us because … .
That’s not really a viable option for us.
That’s totally unacceptable.
Unfortunately, we must decline your offer for the following reasons.
Accepting a proposal
We are happy to accept this agreement.
This agreement is acceptable to us.
I believe we have an agreement.
We are happy to accept this agreement.
I’m all in favor of that.
I think we have a deal.
I think we will have to agree to
This agreement is acceptable to us.
I believe we have an agreement.
We are happy to accept this agreement.
I’m all in favor of that.
I think we have a deal.
I think we will have to agree to
We can only agree with you there.
I have to admit that you’re right.
I am willing to work with that.
That’s a deal!
It sounds like an alternative / option / possibility …
That sounds reasonable.
I have to admit that you’re right.
I am willing to work with that.
That’s a deal!
It sounds like an alternative / option / possibility …
That sounds reasonable.
Closing / summarizing
Can we review what we have agreed on so far?
Now, let’s just take a moment to review what we’ve discussed.
So, what we’ve finally decided on is … .
Let's make sure we agree on these figures (dates / etc.).
Can we check these points one last time?
Let's just confirm the details, then.
Now, let’s just take a moment to review what we’ve discussed.
So, what we’ve finally decided on is … .
Let's make sure we agree on these figures (dates / etc.).
Can we check these points one last time?
Let's just confirm the details, then.
Final greetings
It has been a pleasure doing business with you.
We look forward to cooperating with you again.
We look forward to cooperating with you again.
Exercise:
Select a phrase from at least 5 of the categories above and build a short speech. You don't have to have the phrases follow each other but you can add additional unrelated phrases to make the entire speech flow well. You also do not need to have the phrases in the order given above. You put them in the order that you think fits best.
Example:
I would like to welcome you to this kick off meeting and thank everyone for arriving on time.
Since most of you have never met in the past, I suggest we first introduce each other. Does this seem like a good idea and acceptable to you?
Great. How does everyone feel about standing up and coming to the front of the room to introduce themselves?
Let me reassure you that if you come to the front and introduce yourself, people will have an easier time remembering who you are and will make this workshop more entertaining.
B. Hollywood Time: Camera, Set, Action!
Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/
Go to movies menu and select Top Movies. Choose your top 3 movies from the list of Best Movies of 2013 Once you have made your selections, do the following:
- Read the synopsis of the movie
- Watch the trailer
- Read a few user reviews and qualify the movie as:
- Very Bad
- Bad
- Mediocre
- Good
- Very Good
- Excellent
- Write your own review of the movies
- Select one of the critics' reviews and make it your own by modifying a few words.
- Do you recommend this film? Why or why not?
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