Business English

Diskussion schließen
    Example
    Chairman: I hate to interrupt you Mr Jones but we're running short of time and we really need to come to a decision. Let me just summarise the main points that have been made, before we put the proposal to a vote and bring this meeting to an end.
    Summarise / Zusammenfassen
In short, the main points that have been made are …
Let me summarise what we have discussed so far.
To sum up, it seems that we all agree …
I'd like to go over the most important pros and cons.
    A vote / Abstimmung
I suggest we move to a vote.
Perhaps we should have a formal vote on this.
Could we take a vote on it?
Let's have a vote on this.
Can I ask for a show of hands?
All those in favour raise their hands.
Those against?
Any abstentions?
I'd like to abstain.
The motion is carried by six votes to four.
The motion is carried unanimously.
The proposal is rejected.
    Any Other Business? / Sonstiges?
Is there anything else to discuss?
Any further points of discussion?
Is there any other business?
    Closing the meeting / Besprechung beenden
We seem to have arrived to the decision that …
I think we've discussed everything.
I'd now like to draw this meeting to a close.
I declare the meeting closed! Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen.
I'd like to / let's call it a day now.
Thanks for coming everyone!
    Die Sitzungsteilnehmer
    Von den Teilnehmern (participants) wird erwartet, dass sie sich zu Wort melden und Vorschläge machen (make proposals), Meinungen austauschen (exchange opinions) oder Informationen weitergeben (give information). Besonders schwierig für den Ausländer ist es dabei, deutlich zu sein und zugleich höflich zu bleiben. Folgende Sätze helfen Ihnen dabei.
    Example
    Mr Jones: Well, yes. I investigated the area and I'm afraid that in terms of accessibility this site is somewhat problematic. I know that they have planned a new motorway, but this plan will take at least 2 years and I don't think we can wait that long.
    Mr Wells: I'd like to suggest that we try to find a more suitable location. Don't forget that some of us have to travel quite a distance and when I think of all the extra hours that I already work for this company and …
    Chairman: I understand what you mean, Mr Wells, but let's stick to the subject, please.
    Mr Shawn: Could I say something on this matter, please? I think Mr Wells is absolutely right and we should try to find a place which is more accessible not only for ourselves but also for our customers.
    The international character of our company demands a location near an airport or railway station.
    Mr Jones: But these places are so terribly expensive!
Useful phrases
    Proposing / Vorschlagen
I would like to put forward an alternative proposal.
I would like to make another suggestion.
Wouldn't it be a good idea if …
I suggest / propose that we …
Let's first have a look at …
Why don't we …?
    Interrupting / Unterbrechen
May I interrupt you for a moment?
I'm sorry to interrupt you / break in, but …
May I come in at this point …
Excuse me, may I ask a question?
I don't want to interrupt, but …
Pardon me for interrupting, but …
I'd like to add something here if I may.
If I might just add something here …
    Giving information / Informieren
I would like to give you some details on this matter.
Let me give you an overview of the figures.
I will brief you on the results so far.
May I inform you on the decisions made by …
    Opinions / Meinungsäußerungen
In my opinion / in my view …
If you want to know my opinon …
The way I see it is …
I feel / think / believe that …
It seems / appears to me that …
    Agreeing / Zustimmen
I can go along with your proposal.
I think we are in agreement on that.
I share your view.
I agree with you / I think you're right.
    Disagreeing / Ablehnen
I don't think that's a good idea.
I cannot go along with you there.
I'm afraid I can't agree with you.
I'm sorry, but I don't agree at all.
I absolutely disagree / I think you're wrong.
    Protokoll schreiben
    Ein Protokoll (minutes) oder Bericht (report) soll die wichtigsten Äußerungen der Teilnehmer /-innen wiedergeben und nachvollziehbar machen, wie die Entscheidungen und Ergebnisse zustande gekommen sind. Dazu benutzt man auch im Englischen die indirekte Rede. Achten Sie darauf, dass die Verbform jeweils um eine Zeitstufe in die Vergangenheit zurückversetzt wird. Als Beispiel sehen Sie das Protokoll zum Diskussionsausschnitt von Seite 58.
    Example
    Minutes of the meeting held at the Head