WHAT IF... a Meeting was like a Conference Call?

If you work in business, there is a very good chance you've been in a conference call. And if you've been in a conference call, there is a very good chance you've experienced some inconveniences.


Of course, if you're an English User, then there's a good chance you've participated in conference calls in English... and with problems.



So for today's activity, we invite you to WATCH the following funny video, which shows us what it would be like if meetings had all the problems of conference calls. Enjoy!



After viewing, we invite you to try to answer the following QUESTIONS on your own or in a study group. PAY ATTENTION to the verb tense of the question and be sure to answer in the corresponding tense.

• Can you list the main problems these participants experienced? (you may check the script below for their names)
• Have you ever experienced these problems in a conference call?
• If so, which ones did you experience?
• Did you take any steps to avoid them?
• If so, which steps did you take?
• Which problems do you believe that a video conferencing system would solve over audio-only conference calling?
• What kind of system do you mainly use for conferences?

And finally, for further study, we provide you with a copy of the transcript to this video, cleverly created and performed by the American comedian duo Tripp & Tyler:

SCENE 1 (0:00)
Tripp: Tripp Crosby…
Automatic voice:…has joined the meeting.
(music)
Beth: Beth…
Automatic voice:…has joined the meeting.!
Beth: Hello?
Tripp: Tyler?
Beth: No, this is Beth from ICS.
Tripp: Oh, hey Beth. How are you…doing?
Beth: Oh, good. Yeah, I’m just…makin’ it…y’know.
(awkward silence)
Tyler: Tyler…
Automatic voice:…has joined the meeting
Tripp: Alright, uhh, this is Tripp. Who’s here?
Tyler: Tyler’s here.
Beth: Beth’s here.
Tripp: OK, the purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss the…
(beep)
John: Yeah, I’ll be able to do it in like 30 minutes. John.
Automatic voice:…has joined the meeting
Tripp: Hi John.
John: Hi.
Tripp: I was just trying to go over the purpose of today’s meeting, which is to discuss the
deliver…
(beep)
Tyler: Tyler…
Automatic voice:…has joined the meeting!
Tyler: Sorry guys, I got cut off. Is Paul here? I sent him an invite.
(knock at the door)
Beth: Put in your access code.
John: No, no, no, no. That’s your PIN number.
Tripp: It should be a 9-digit number.
Tyler: Try pressing the pound key.
Paul: Paul…
Automatic voice:…has joined the meeting

SCENE 2
Tripp: Any questions before we move on?
Beth: Yes. This is Beth. What’s our best plan of attack for the second quarter?

Simultaneously 
Tripp: The question actually…
John: I think what we should do is…

Simultaneously 
Tripp: Oh. Go ahead.
John: Go ahead.

John: Oh, I think what we should…
Tripp: Well…
John: …do

Simultaneously 
Tripp: It actually depends on how you look at it
John: …is really diversify because the really comp…

John: I…
Tripp: Go ahead.
John: Go ahead.
Beth: Well, given sales are at a… (Tyler and John talking simultaneously)
Tripp: Let me just say that…
Beth: OK.

SCENE 3
Tripp: That was a great graph John. Uh, Tyler?
Tyler: Well, my main ???cern with the ??jections from ??? ?ear was they’re just
insufficient, I mean they’re not even taking into account…
John: Did we uh, did we lose Tyler again?
Tyler: Hello?

SCENE 4
Tripp: John, are you guys taking distributions?
John: (speaks, but no sound)
Tyler: John?
John: Oh, my bad. I was on mute. Um, let me, let me start over again.

SCENE 5
Tripp: So, I’ve prepared a presentation. I’m sharing it with all of you. You should be able to
see it on your screen right now.
Beth: Got it.
Paul: I don’t see a link anywhere.
John: It says I need to download a plug-in.
Tripp: We are all using Macs, I’m assuming?
Everyone: Yep.
Paul: How can you…ummm….

SCENE 6
Tripp: Finances are looking great. Paul do you have any comments on staffing?
Paul: I was thinking about that because (dog barking loudly) we can get a few more
contractors (dog barking) types in (dog barking). Hold on, I’m sorry. Rex! Get down!
Beth: I don’t know… (espresso machine whirring)…type that up
Tripp: (with echo) To me, staffing is a huge…
Beth: What is that?
Tripp: Is that me?
John: (with echo) That’s not me, I don’t think! 


SCENE 7
Tripp: I just want to go over a couple of details as we move into (computer alert rings) our
next section. Um, we got three new departments coming on board…
Tyler: Breaking up a little bit, guys.
Tripp:…by the end of Q3…
Tyler: We’re at another dead spot. (Tripp continues talking) Sorry guys.

SCENE 8
Tripp: That’s it guys. Beth, you’ll send out a recap email that could have basically taken the
place of this whole meeting, correct?
Beth: Yep, always do.
Dave: Yeah, thanks for doing that Beth.
Tripp: Dave! You been here the whole time?
Dave: Yeah.
Tripp: Huh. Well thanks everyone once again. Oh, one more thi…

ENGLISH: The Global Language of Business

Ok, English Users, it's official.

English has now been designated as the global language of business. Now, we know what you're thinking.

Wasn't it that already? People who work in business should know some English. What's new about that?

Well, since you asked, what's new is that more and more multinational companies are making English their common corporate language. This means all international business is conducted in English.

This is already happening in companies like Airbus, Daimler-Chrysler, Fast Retailing, Nokia, Renault, Samsung, SAP, Technicolor, and Microsoft in Beijing, to provide a few examples. Did you notice that not all companies are American or British? 

Because in the 21st century English is no longer just the language of English speaking countries. The bottom line is practicality. And guess what? The country that is at the forefront of this change is... China. One might wonder with the economic power that they have, why they aren't trying to push for more Chinese in business operations.

The answer is simple. Practicality. Just like the language of music is Italian; or Latin the language of biological and medical classification or French the language of cuisine. Today, now, in the 21st century, the language of business, logistics and technology is English. But what does this really mean?

For one, it ought to be a wake up call to all small or regional economies as well as companies from those countries that wish to expand globally. The message is simple. If you want to do business, move things around or be technologically connected with the rest of the world, you and all your staff need to do it in English.

Likewise, if you work in a multinational company, the pressure will be on you to improve your English and in some cases, the company may not pay for it. 

But fortunately, at PLS, we have a number of effective and attractive training methods, including the Dynamic Online Training method from our partners at English Attack! that we spoke about in our last post.

And by the way, don't think that native speakers from English-speaking countries can just sit back and not worry about all this. There's plenty for them to do as well. First, they will have to slow down and be far more considerate when speaking to non-native English speakers. It also means they need to keep the language simple.

The goal is to make communication and performance go hand in hand across different regions of the world and business objectives. And as English Users, you're already a one step ahead of the rest.

So Congratulations!

Now if you'd like to read more about this topic, we highly recommend a recent CNN feature on their business page that goes into it further.

And to close it off, here is an interview with Tsedal Neeley, the Harvard Business School assistant professor who explains why every company needs a language strategy. Every company, including yours.

Business Lingo (Part 2)

In our last post, we looked at some English idioms used in business by native speakers. Today, we'll present you with the second part. And if you can, try to make your own sentences with these, so you can get a feel for how to use them.

1. back-of-the-envelope calculations

quick calculations; estimates using approximate numbers, instead of exact numbers

Example: I don't need the exact numbers right now. Just give me some back-of-the-envelope calculations.

Note: This expression refers to the quick calculations one would do informally, as on the back of an envelope.


2. (to) climb the corporate ladder

advance in one's career; the process of getting promoted and making it to senior management

Example: You want to climb the corporate ladder? It helps to be productive and to look good in front of your boss.



3. (to) face the music

to admit that there's a problem; to deal with an unpleasant situation realistically

Example: Enron executives finally had to face the music and admit that they were involved in some illegal activities.


4. (to) jump through hoops

to go through a lot of difficult work for something; to face many bureaucratic obstacles

Example: We had to jump through hoops to get our visas to Russia, but we finally got them.

5. nothing ventured, nothing gained

If you don't try to do something, you'll never succeed.

Example: It's risky to spend so much money developing a new brand, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.


And speaking of Face the Music, here's the classic hit "Running in the Family" by the pop group LEVEL 42 that tells you what this concept is all about. Listen and view and you'll see why. Enjoy!

Business Lingo (Part 1)

If you're an adult English User, part of the challenge is getting a grasp of (understanding) the real meaning of business idioms. 

Often, it's difficult to stay up to speed with (keep up with) all the expressions that English speakers use when discussing professional matters.

Today, we'll take look at a few of these:

1. blockbuster

a big success; a huge hit

Example: Eli Lilly made a lot of money with the prescription drug, Prozac. It was a real blockbuster.

Origin: This term comes from the blockbuster bombs used during World War Two by the British Royal Air Force. They were huge and created a large explosive force. Blockbuster ideas similarly create a big impact - and hopefully don't cause destruction like blockbuster bombs!

2. cash cow

a product, service, or business division that generates a lot of cash for the company, without requiring much investment

Example: With strong sales every year and a great brand name, Mercedes is a cash cowfor DaimlerChrysler.

3. dog-eat-dog world

a cruel and aggressive world in which people just look out for themselves

Example: Your company fired you shortly after you had a heart attack? Well, it's certainly a dog-eat-dog world!

Origin: This expression dates back to the 1500's. Wild dogs were observed fighting aggressively over a piece of food. The connection was made that people, like dogs, often compete aggressively to get what they want.

4. (to) generate lots of buzz

to cause many people to start talking about a product or service, usually in a positive way that increases sales

Example: Procter & Gamble generated lots of buzz for its new toothpaste by giving away free samples to people on the streets of New York City.

Note: "Buzz" is a popular word for "attention."

5. mum's the word

let's keep quiet about this; I agree not to tell anyone about this

Example: Please don't tell anybody about our new project. Remember: mum's the word!

Origin: The word "mum" comes from the murmur "mmmmm," the only sound you can make when your mouth is shut firmly. Try making other sounds besides "mmmmm" with your lips and mouth shut firmly, and you will see that it's impossible!

And now, for those of you who like rock and roll, here's a classic song from the world famous heavy metal group AC/DC that will now make a lot more sense. The lyrics are below. It's loud. Enjoy!

"Dog Eat Dog" by AC/DC

Well, it's a dog eat dog,
Eat cat, too
The French eat frog,
And I eat you
Businessman, when you make a deal,
Do you know who you can trust?
Do you sign your life away?
Do you write your name in dust?

[Chorus]
Hey, hey, hey!
Every dog has his day!
It's a dog eat dog!
Dog eat dog!

"Dog Eat Dog"
Read the news
Someone win,
Someone lose
Up's above and down's below,
And Limbo's in between
Up, you win - down, you lose,
It's anybody's game

[Chorus]
Hey, hey, hey!
Every dog has his day!
It's a dog eat dog!
Dog eat dog!
Whoo!

[Solo]

And it's an eye for eye,
Tooth for tooth
It's a lie,
That's the truth
See the blind man on the street,
Lookin' for somethin' free
Hear the kind man ask his friends,
"Hey, what's in it for me?"

[Chorus]
Hey, hey, hey!
Every dog has his day!
It's a dog eat dog!
Dog eat dog!
(Dog eat dog! Dog eat dog!)
(Dog eat dog!) Dog eat dog!
(Dog eat dog!) Hey!
(Dog eat dog!) Whoo! Aaooo...
(Dog eat dog!) Dog eat dog!
(Dog eat dog! Dog eat dog!)
Dog eat dog eat dog eat dog!
(Dog eat dog!) Dog eat dog eat dog eat dog!
(Dog eat dog!) Dog eat dog eat - dog eat dog!
(Dog eat dog! Dog eat dog!)