Business English Pod (9to5English) / Business English Skills 360 / Page 14

Skills 360 – Organizing your Ideas (Part 1)

Business English, Business English Skills 360, Communication, Management English /

In today’s lesson, were going to look at how to organize your ideas.

When it comes to ideas, you’ve probably got lots of them. And sure, they’re important to you. But are they important to others? Well, they could be, but only if they’re clear and organized. You’ve probably been frustrated when people run on at length about what they think using vague language. And you’ve probably tuned out when someone jumps around chaotically from idea to idea without tying it all together with a purpose. That just doesn’t work. And sometimes it’s not the best ideas that win, but the ones that are most clearly articulated.

Today we’ll look at a few different frameworks for generating ideas. In this case, we’re using a form of organization to actually get the ideas flowing.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you have any special ways of brainstorming ideas?
2. Think of someone who you think speaks well. How does he/she organize ideas?
3. Do you ever write out lists of advantages and disadvantages or pros and cons?

[tp no_translate=”y”]Free Resources: Transcript | Quizzes | PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

Skills 360 – Mind your Language (Part 2)

Business English, Business English Skills 360, Communication /

The Skills 360 podcast is now available in iTunes: Free Subscription

In today’s Skills 360 podcast we’re going to take another look at how to mind your language and soften your tone.

Discussion Questions

1. If you want to soften your language, what words do you use?
2. How careful are you not to offend people when you express your opinions?
3. Do you like it when people express their opinions very confidently?

[tp no_translate=”y”]Free Resources: Transcript | Quizzes | PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

Skills 360 – Mind your Language (Part 1)

Business English, Business English Skills 360, Communication /

The Skills 360 podcast is now available in iTunes: Free Subscription

In today’s Skills 360 podcast we’re going to have a look at how to use modals, imperatives, and requests, to moderate your tone and soften your language.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you feel when people tell you what to do?
2. How important is it for a boss to be polite to his or her employees?
3. How do you soften your language to make suggestions?

[tp no_translate=”y”]Free Resources: Transcript | Quizzes | PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

Skills 360 – How to Say No (Part 2)

Business English, Business English Skills 360, Communication /

The Skills 360 podcast is now available in iTunes: Free Subscription

Welcome back to the Skills 360 podcast, today we’re talking about how to say “no.” That’s right, someone asks you for something or to do something, but you have to say “no”. That’s not always easy, but it’s important.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you ever have too much to do in too little time?
2. How do you feel when someone says “no” to you?`
3. What are some ways we can reject or refuse someone nicely?

[tp no_translate=”y”]Free Resources: Transcript | Quizzes | PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

Skills 360 – How to Say No (Part 1)

Business English, Business English Skills 360, Communication /

The Skills 360 podcast is now available in iTunes: Free Subscription

Why is it so difficult to say “no”? Well, of course you want to be polite, and kind, and agreeable. And if it’s your boss who is asking you for something, you may fear losing favor or opportunities. And if it’s a client or customer asking for something, you might not want to ruin the relationship.

But what I want to tell you is that in many cases you should say no. And you should know how to say it. You need to be clear, firm, and honest.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you usually find it difficult to say “no” when someone asks you to do something?
2. Who do you have the most difficulty saying “no” to?
3. Why do you think saying “no” can sometimes be difficult?

[tp no_translate=”y”]Free Resources: Transcript | Quizzes | PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]