New Search

If you are not happy with the results below please do another search

160 search results for: phrases

41

Follow Up Emails

We have all been in a situation where we urgently need a response on a topic and our follow up emails are simply not getting us an answer.  We often assume the recipient has more pressing matters and fear being annoying.  However, there are some strategies that help getting the response you need. Here are […]

42

Apologizing via Email

As much as we try to avoid them, mistakes happen, and when they do an apology is often necessary to fix the situation. It is normally better to apologize in person, either face to face or on the telephone.  However, in some situations, for example time is of the essence or you want everyone to […]

43

Formal Vs Informal Emails

We write a formal email when we want to be polite, or when we do not know the reader very well. Although a lot of work emails are informal these days, we still need to write formal emails for serious issues (e.g. an overdue invoice that has to be paid). We write informal emails when […]

46

Rescheduling meetings in English

Most of my participants attend meetings with clients, partners and colleagues, and sometimes it’s necessary to reschedule a meeting via email. My participants are concerned about the tone of the email, letting others down, and losing trust and credibility.

47

Word Combinations: Investments

The word “investment” can be used with many word combinations and phrases. The more combinations you are familiar with, the more it helps with fluency and automaticity. Look at some examples below.   The above are common combinations after and before the word investment, can you think of any more? Try out the quiz below […]

48

GPD/ Appraisals

As the workplace and teams become more international, companies which formerly held Goal Performance Dialogues (GPD – annual meeting with your boss) in the language of their own country are completing them in English. This tip will provide you with useful phrases that you can use in your next GPD with your team. Tips for […]

49

Giving Praise

In many environments, the value of giving praise may be viewed very differently depending on factors such as age, culture, personality, personal perception of the value of praise, etc. First, look at the list of possible considerations below based on Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business, by Fons Trompenaars and Charles […]

50

Effective Meetings

Ever wanted to make your meetings more productive? 47% of people consider too many meetings the biggest waste of time at work. Can you relate to this figure? So what can be done to prevent this? And what are some of the biggest issues with meetings in general? Listen to the conversations below and decide […]

51

Interruptions in Meetings

Two real difficulties in business meetings are knowing when and how to interrupt effectively, and how to handle interruptions. Listen to the following dialogue from a team meeting where they are discussing a suitable hotel for their next company event. Try to remember which interruption phrase was used in each case. Did you catch some […]

52

Polite Emails – The Hamburger Approach

Listen to the podcast to find out how writing a polite email can be remembered as a type of ‘hamburger’. Look at the following phrases in the quiz and choose if they are used in the top bun, meat or bottom bun of the polite email. For further information, please see the Target Training blog […]

53

Closing an Email

Closing lines of an email are a small part of the actual email, however a very important one. This is when you are in control and can influence the kind of reply you receive from the recipient, the action that is required or the impression you leave the receiver with. Look at the closing lines […]

54

Softening Language During Presentations

We use indirect language in English in many areas of business and for many different reasons: to be polite, diplomatic or formal, or to show respect and build business relationships. Indirect language tends to be soft, positive and friendly. Sometimes when you are presenting you may need to reduce the significance of points which are […]

55

Company Trade Fairs

Trade fairs are great for your business and for you as a professional to really shine and make yourself known. They are opportunities to connect, network, meet potential customers and check out the competition. So you have to be on the ball and ready with the right things to say in set scenarios. Having some […]

56

Communicating Difficult Decisions

Most people will be in the difficult situation of explaining or justifying an unpopular decision at some point in their career. Different people may try to explain these difficult decisions in different ways. Look at the chart below and compare the similarities and differences. Listen to the recordings below and decide which method each speaker […]

57

Starting a Telephone Call

Sometimes you may be in a situation where you have to make a phone call but are unsure how to begin the call. Listen to examples of the following four scenarios: a) established relationship with an existing partner b) looking for information but with no contact name. c) returning a missed call d) making a […]

58

Book review: The happy mind

Before I read the book “The Happy Mind”, by Kevin Horsley and Louis Fourie, I already knew that happiness comes from the self and that the building blocks of happiness are things that have no physical form. Things like love, acceptance and beliefs are what give or take away happiness – ultimately.

59

Rule of “Three” in Presentations

Have you ever heard of the “rule of three” in presentations? This technique can really help you to deliver information effectively, and engage your audience, as well as making sure they take something away (hopefully what you had planned for them to take away!). Find out why this is useful and how you can use […]