Meetings in English

advance. After that time, the ideas are categorised and sorted. But first of all, the topic of the brainstorming session has to be set out clearly. Furthermore, it is important that all participants make an active contribution. As a rule, criticising ideas is not allowed, as this might hinder inventiveness and spontaneity. It may sometimes be necessary for the chair or the facilitator to remind participants of these basic rules.
    After the time set for collecting ideas is over or when there are no more ideas coming from the participants, the suggestions are sorted and categorised and any unfeasible ideas are deleted from the list. This can be done either as a group or by asking each person to pick out the five ideas he or she likes best.
Useful phrases
So, how can we achieve better customer service?
What aspects can enhance the overall customer experience?
Can we agree not to interrupt each other?
Can I ask you to save your comments for later, please?
Let me remind you of the basic rules of brainstorming …
Can you please let Peter finish what he was saying?
The following phrases may come in handy when taking notes on a flipchart during brainstorming.
What was that again?
Sorry, could you repeat/spell that for me, please?
I think we have a double entry here.
I see two main directions here, would you all agree?
Can we filter out all the pros and cons, please?
Shall we organise these ideas into two or three columns for a better overview?
Can each of you now select the five ideas you think are the best?
Useful vocabulary
    sponsor: Auftraggeber
    feasibility, feasible: Machbarkeit, machbar
    inhibited: gehemmt
    Jours fixes and kick-offs
    Jours fixes
    The term „jour fixe“ is derived from project management. The same day of the week and time is reserved for an internal meeting with the same people, eg the first Wednesday of a month or a week. The aim is to facilitate the exchange of information and to update all project members so they are at the same knowledge level.
    Example: jour fixe team meeting
    A: … to put you all in the picture and bring you up to date with the latest developments.
    B: Thank you, Brian. Are there any other points to be discussed?
    C: Well, yes, actually, but it's a rather delicate issue.
    B: Go ahead, Valerie, we're all curious.
    C: Erm, right. It's about our colleague, George. He always passes the buck. He calls in sick every time a deadline is due.
    A: I must say that I also find him very rude. [All the team nods]
    B: I see, I see, so we seem to have an issue with George …
    C: An issue! Are you kidding? I'm fed up with being on the same team, let alone in the same room with this guy.
    B: Val, just try to take it a little easier on him.
    C: Why are you defending him like that?
    B: Well, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but George isn't too well at the moment. He was diagnosed with a serious illness and is currently undergoing treatment. This is why he is often away from work.
    C: Oh, I'm so sorry, I had no idea!
    A: That's a different story. Poor George!
    Regular team meetings increase commitment and prevent misunderstandings and rumours. Apart from conveying information, it is important to foster the feeling of being appreciated among the team. This is why the participation of all team members should be encouraged. They should always be addressed by name, including when giving positive feedback: „Thank you, Damian, for bringing this point up.“
    How to prevent boredom
    Variety can be added by altering the style in which the meeting is held, as well as the activities that take place. Try to encourage all participants to become actively involved rather than just listening passively.
    Kick-off meetings
    Kick-off meetings are extremely important for the success of a new project. Their purpose is to signal to all team members and stakeholders that the project has now begun. They give the team orientation and direction and ensure that everyone understands what their roles are. As far as language is concerned, kick-off meetings contain the following features:
introducing people (which is an important feature of a kick-off meeting, in particular when project owners and stakeholders have never worked together before),
giving information (on the purpose of the project, its major deliverables, its risks and assumptions, as well as its milestones),
getting agreement (on suggested project management procedures from all stakeholders),
asking and answering questions.
Useful vocabulary
    to