[BUSINESS ENGLISH] Lesson 3: Responding to Suggestions

 

Lesson 3: Responding to Suggestions

Background of the story:

Setting: at a Sports Shoe Company "Stratos". 

Characters: 

Karen - Marketing Manager

Charles, Sven, and Miguel - Team members

Situation: The four characters are having a meeting.

Agenda: Choosing a Celebrity Spokesperson for a new product 

Product: sports shoes for overweight people.

Note: Pay attention to how the speakers accept or reject each other's suggestions.

VOCABULARY:

1. Killing two birds with one stone

Meaning: accomplish two things at the same time

Sentence: That way, we kill two birds with one stone.

2. let's go around the table

Meaning:  To gather people together for some purpose.

Sentence:  If we could just get both parties around the table, I'm confident we could reach an agreement.

3. target market

Meaning:  the place where you want to sell your product.

Sentence: Schools are a key target market for the apps.

4. target customer

Meaning:  the type of customer you want to sell your product to

Sentence: We need the right product to satisfy the needs of target customers.

REJECTING SUGGESTIONS:

• That's a good idea, but I am not sure it would work... 
• Good suggestion. But, I can see one or two problems with that, to be honest / to be frank.
• Good suggestion. But frankly speaking, I can see one or two problems with that.
• I am not really sure about that...
• Do you think so?

ACCEPTING SUGGESTIONS:

• Okay, let's do that. 
• That's not a bad idea. 
• Yes, I think that would work really well.
• Good idea!
• Great Idea!
• That way, we kill two birds with one stone. 

ACTIVITY: Accept or Reject these suggestions

1. What if we cut the sales training budget?
2. What if we hold a meeting next week?
3. I think we should buy new computers.
4. Let's try to hold a training in a pub.
5. How about we all go on an outing together next weekend?
6. What if we hold a party to increase morale?
7. We're wasting a lot of time. Is there any way we can hold fewer meetings?

YOUR ANSWERS:

1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________