![[Business English Communication] 20 Essential Business English Phrases for the Workplace: Speak with Confidence (Part 1)](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61a9e88c79219a37035612c8/6abfbcf92bf9101e8b04ba1d_636b06ad6e00cb0c765ccaf3_%25E8%259E%25A2%25E5%25B9%2595%25E6%2593%25B7%25E5%258F%2596%25E7%2595%25AB%25E9%259D%25A2%25202022-11-04%2520160147%2520(1).jpeg)
Communicating in English in an office where most colleagues are international can be stressful for those who are less confident in their English skills. That’s why, in addition to practicing English conversations regularly, it’s important to build confidence and develop practical communication skills for everyday workplace situations.
In a workplace with many foreign colleagues, communicating in English can be quite stressful for those who are less confident in their English skills. In addition to practicing English conversations regularly, we can also learn and remember useful business English expressions to help us handle a variety of business situations.
1: (to) seal a deal | Close a deal; Reach an agreement
We can also use close/strike a deal, close a sale, or close a contract to express a similar idea.
A: We have been trying for a while to interest the buyer in this new product range.
We’ve been trying to get the buyer interested in this new product range.
B: Perhaps we may need to lower the price slightly to seal a deal. What do you think?
Perhaps we should lower the price slightly to close the deal. What do you think?
2: (to) introduce the meeting agenda | Introduce the meeting agenda
A: Welcome to the meeting, everyone. Let me start by introducing the meeting agenda.
Welcome to the meeting, everyone. Let me start by introducing today’s agenda.
3: (to) implement something | Put something into effect; Implement something
Implement and execute can both mean “to carry out,” but there is a subtle difference between the two.
■ implement: commonly used when a government or company puts a policy, plan, or regulation into effect, with an emphasis on starting or carrying it out.
■ execute: emphasizes carrying out or fulfilling a plan according to what has been planned.
A: When are we going to implement the new pricing policy?
When are we going to implement the new pricing policy?
B: As soon as the finance department gives us the green light.
We can start implementing it as soon as the finance department gives us the green light.
4: (to) minimize errors | Minimize errors
A: I want to minimize errors for the new production process.
I want to minimize errors in the new production process.
B: Understood. I will make sure the production team thinks through the entire manufacturing process before we start.
Understood. I’ll make sure the production team reviews the entire manufacturing process before we start.
5: (to) maximize profits | Maximize profits
A: If we want to maximize profits, we need to rethink which vendors provide the best quality and pricing.
If we want to maximize profits, we need to reconsider which vendors offer the best combination of quality and pricing.
B: Yes, I agree. We will start to review terms with all of the vendors and discuss the issue again next week.
I agree. We’ll start reviewing the terms with all of our vendors and discuss the issue again next week.
6: (to) identify potential bottlenecks | Identify potential bottlenecks
A: This is a new product, so we need to set up the production process carefully.
This is a new product, so we need to establish the production process carefully.
B: Yes. We will definitely need to identify any potential bottlenecks in the production process.
Exactly. We’ll definitely need to identify any potential bottlenecks in the production process.
7: (to) resolve an issue | Resolve a dispute; Solve a problem
A: We are still finding that the vendor is not providing us with the right components for this production run.
We’re still finding that the vendor isn’t providing us with the right components for this production run.
B: I see. I suggest then we delay production until we can resolve this quality issue.
I see. In that case, I suggest we delay production until we can resolve this quality issue.
8: (to) focus on the critical factors | Focus on the critical factors
A: We may need to do a deeper analysis of the market to understand why sales are stalling.
We may need to conduct a deeper market analysis to understand why sales are stagnating.
B: Yes. Good idea. We need to identify and focus on the critical factors.
Good idea. We need to identify the problem and focus on the critical factors to resolve it.
9: (to) build trust | Build confidence; Build trust
A: It will take time to build trust in the new technology.
It will take time to build confidence in the new technology.
B: Yes, I agree. It may first need strong government support before the general public will accept it.
I agree. The technology may need strong government support before the general public will accept it.
10: (to) corner the market | Dominate the market
A: Our new range of kitchen equipment is very competitive and the initial market response is very positive.
Our new range of kitchen equipment is highly competitive, and the initial market response has been very positive.
B: Yes. I think we could even corner the market if we slightly reduce prices.
Yes. I think we could even dominate the market if we lower our prices slightly.
11: (to) operate a business | Run; Manage a business
A: Is this company involved in the travel industry?
Is this company involved in the travel industry?
B: They have invested heavily in several hotel chains, but don’t directly operate any hotel
businesses.
They’ve invested heavily in several hotel chains, but they don’t directly operate any hotels.
Further Reading:
➡️【Business English Communication】20 Business English Phrases for the Workplace: Communicate with Confidence in the Office (Part 2)
